We compute the energy absorbed by a one-dimensional system of cold bosonic atoms in an optical lattice subjected to lattice amplitude modulation periodic with time. We perform the calculation for the superfluid and the Mott insulator created by a weak lattice, and the Mott insulator in a strong lattice potential. For the latter case we show results for three-dimensional systems as well. Our calculations, based on bosonization techniques and strong-coupling methods, go beyond standard Bogoliubov theory. We show that the energy absorption rate exhibits distinctive features of low-dimensional systems and Luttinger liquid physics. We compare our results with experiments and find good agreement.