Instant Coffee Consumption Linked to Macular Degeneration Risk
New Research Highlights Potential Eye Health Risks of a Daily Habit
A recent study suggests a link between drinking instant coffee and an increased risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). This finding adds to our understanding of how lifestyle choices, particularly dietary habits, might affect eye health and vision as we age.
Study Findings: Instant Coffee and AMD
Research indicates that a combination of genetics and instant coffee consumption could elevate the chance of developing dry AMD. The study, which examined data from the UK Biobank and Finngen GWAS dataset, discovered a notable correlation. Those with a genetic predisposition to drinking instant coffee experienced approximately a sevenfold increase in the risk of dry AMD compared to those consuming other coffee types.
“This genetic overlap suggests that there may be shared biological pathways or metabolic mechanisms connecting the preference for instant coffee with the risk of developing dry AMD,”
—Siwei Liu, MD, Researcher, Department of Ophthalmology
According to the CDC, over 1.8 million Americans age 40 and older are affected by AMD, with that number projected to reach nearly 3 million by 2030 (CDC 2024).
Deeper Dive into the Research
The research involved analyzing coffee consumption habits of over 500,000 people from the UK Biobank. Participants were categorized based on their intake of decaffeinated, ground, and instant coffee. Scientists also gathered data on both dry and wet AMD in individuals aged 50 and older from the Finngen GWAS dataset.
The study did not find a connection between coffee intake and the risk of wet AMD. Researchers are planning further studies to validate these findings and investigate the underlying metabolic pathways.
Dr. David I. Geffen, who was not involved in the research, found the study interesting. Dr. Benjamin Bert highlighted the study’s potential for personalized medicine and emphasized the importance of understanding how food choices affect overall health.
