London, Apr 9 (ANI): People who drink an average of three units of alcohol a day double their risk of involuntary "shakes" in later life, say researchers.

Essential tremor is a common neurological disorder. Although there are a number of factors that can cause the condition including an overactive thyroid and Parkinson's disease, alcoholics frequently develop symptoms.

Now, the new research, published in the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry, has shown that alcohol consumption could increase the risks of developing the disorder, reports Sky News.

The study, conducted in central Spain, consisted of a group of 3,285 patients aged 65 and over. Seventy-six out of the 3,285 participants developed essential tremor, which causes involuntary movement, in a three-year follow-up period.

Of the group, 1,838 were classed as alcohol drinkers while 1,447 were non-drinkers. When the two groups were compared, those who had drunk regularly for a long period were far more likely to develop essential tremor.

From analyses, the researchers found that those who drank three or more units of alcohol per day doubled the risk of developing the condition compared with non-drinkers.

Even those who had just one or two drinks a day had a 30 percent increased risk of getting the "shakes". (ANI)