Drink milk, have strong bones. This has been the popular belief for years now: That the calcium from dairy products can help fortify our skeletal system.

A new study published in the British Medical Journal, however, debunked this belief, saying that dairy products and calcium supplements do not actually build strong bones, especially for people over 50 years ago.

A team of researchers led by Dr. Ian Reid of the University of Auckland in New Zealand conducted a meta-analysis of past, high-quality studies on the effect of calcium on the bones. They ultimately found out that extra calcium builds up in the arteries, according to a report by NBC News.

This means that extra calcium, instead of helping build strong bones, can be harmful for ageing people, since it can cause heart diseases and kidney stones.

"Clinical trials of calcium supplements at doses of 1,000 mg/day, however, have reported adverse effects, including cardiovascular events, kidney stones, and hospital admissions for acute gastrointestinal symptoms," Reid's team wrote.

The researchers also found out that people over 50 who take calcium supplements were just as likely to have fractures as people who do not take these supplements.

"Dietary calcium intake is not associated with risk of fracture, and there is no clinical trial evidence that increasing calcium intake from dietary sources prevents fractures," the researchers stated in the study.

"Evidence that calcium supplements prevent fractures is weak and inconsistent," they added.

Three years ago, the US Preventive Services Task Force already issued new recommendations against taking calcium or vitamin D supplements, saying there are not enough evidence to support the alleged benefits of these supplements.

What, then, can people do to strengthen their bones? The researchers suggest regular exercise such as walking, running, playing tennis, lifting weights and dancing. They also recommend cutting down on alcohol and cigarette smoking, which both weaken the bones.