Instant Coffee and Eye Health: What the Latest Study Reveals

Drinking instant coffee has been associated with a higher risk of developing dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a leading cause of vision loss worldwide.

About Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)

Over 200 million people globally live with AMD, which affects central vision and can cause blurriness or loss of sight. The condition mainly manifests as dry AMD, characterized by natural deterioration of the macula, and wet AMD, involving abnormal blood vessel growth in the eye.

Risk Factors and Dietary Influence

While age and genetics are nonmodifiable risk factors, lifestyle choices, including diet, play a crucial role. A healthy diet rich in antioxidants like lutein, zeaxanthin, zinc, vitamins C and E, and omega-3 fatty acids may help reduce AMD risk.

The Study: Linking Genetics, Coffee, and AMD

Lead researcher Dr. Siwei Liu and team analyzed data from over 500,000 participants, focusing on coffee consumption and genetic predisposition. They found that individuals genetically inclined to prefer instant coffee had a significantly higher risk of developing dry AMD—up to seven times greater—compared to other types of coffee. This suggests a potential biological pathway connecting instant coffee intake with AMD development.

Expert Perspectives

Optometrist David I. Geffen commented on the findings, emphasizing the importance of further research before making lifestyle changes. Ophthalmologist Benjamin Bert highlighted the growing awareness of food as medicine and the risks of processed foods like instant coffee.

Next Steps in Research

Researchers plan to validate these findings in separate populations and explore the underlying biological mechanisms. Longitudinal studies are also anticipated to determine causality between coffee intake and AMD progression.

"Identifying modifiable risk factors like diet is vital for slowing AMD progression and preserving vision," said Dr. Liu.

This study raises awareness about the possible impact of processed food consumption on eye health and opens new avenues for personalized prevention strategies.

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