Consuming instant coffee may increase the risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), an eye disease that can lead to vision loss in older adults.

A new study conducted by Chinese researchers revealed that individuals who prefer instant coffee are seven times more likely to develop AMD compared to those who consume other types of coffee. The study indicates that AMD causes gradual damage to the macula, the central part of the retina, which negatively affects daily functions such as reading, driving, and recognizing faces.

Dr. Qi Jia, the study’s lead author and an ophthalmologist, warned, “Instant coffee may raise the risk of age-related macular degeneration, and reducing its intake could help prevent this risk.” Dr. Jia especially emphasized that individuals at higher risk for AMD should avoid instant coffee altogether.

Who Is Most At Rısk?

Experts highlight that those with a family history of AMD, smokers, overweight individuals, and people with high blood pressure are more likely to develop the disease. Moreover, people with blue or green eyes are at increased risk due to lower pigmentation, which offers less protection against sunlight.

It is believed that acrylamide, a chemical formed during the production of instant coffee, may enter the bloodstream and harm the retina. Researchers suggest this chemical could play a role in the development of AMD.

The study is supported by genetic data from the UK Biobank and the FinnGen consortium in Finland. Rather than looking directly at participants’ coffee choices, the research examined their genetic predisposition to prefer certain types of coffee. Participants were grouped as consumers of instant, ground, or decaffeinated coffee based on their genetic tendencies. According to the findings, individuals genetically inclined to drink instant coffee had a 692% higher risk of developing dry AMD and a 159% increased risk for wet AMD. Among those inclined to drink decaffeinated coffee, the risk of dry AMD was elevated by 80%; however, this result was not found to be statistically significant.

August 2025