Instant Coffee Linked to Higher Risk of Blindness, New Study Finds

Instant coffee may significantly increase the risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) — one of the leading causes of blindness in the elderly. This conclusion was reached by scientists who conducted a large-scale genetic analysis using data from nearly 200,000 people. The study was published in Food Science & Nutrition. Using Mendelian randomization and genetic correlation analysis, the researchers found that individuals with a heightened genetic sensitivity to instant coffee — meaning they are more likely to consume it in greater quantities — have nearly a sevenfold increased risk of developing AMD, a vision-threatening condition. In contrast, ground coffee and decaffeinated coffee showed no such effects. The authors emphasize that the concern is not about regular coffee, but specifically instant coffee — its production involves the formation of substances that can trigger inflammation and oxidative stress in the retina. The role of so-called advanced glycation end-products (AGEs), which form during the high-temperature drying of coffee extract, is also under discussion.