Instant coffee is making a comeback with younger consumers, but new research suggests the retro beverage could pose an unexpected threat to eye health.
First developed in the early 20th century and made popular via military rations during World War II, instant coffee has been a household staple in the U.S. for many years. Now, a new study indicates a potential connection between the powdered drink and age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a primary cause of vision impairment.
Researchers at Hubei University of Medicine and Taihe Hospital in China recently released a study regarding instant coffee’s potential effects on eye health in the June 2025 edition of Food Science & Nutrition.
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The study revealed a genetic correlation between instant coffee and dry AMD, which wasn’t seen with regular or decaffeinated coffee.
There’s no proof that instant coffee directly leads to AMD, but researchers recommend that those at high risk should moderate their intake.
“Instant coffee may elevate the risk of AMD, and lowering instant coffee consumption can prevent dry AMD,” the study stated.
“Those with a high risk of AMD should avoid instant coffee intake.”
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The research emerges as more Americans are choosing instant coffee in the mornings — a trend that experts attribute to younger coffee drinkers.
“Instant coffee is chosen by only 15% of consumers at breakfast — but millennials and Gen Z are influencing this,” noted a July 29 report from the market research firm Nielsen IQ.
Nielsen IQ also found that instant coffee accounts for almost 20% of the packaged coffee sector’s growth — calling for some Americans to reconsider in light of the new research.
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Fox News Digital spoke with Dr. James Dello Russo, a New Jersey-based optometrist, for his insights on the study.
Dello Russo explained that AMD affects the macula, which is “the central area of the retina that enables the sharp, detailed vision needed to read, drive and recognize faces.”
“While AMD rarely results in complete blindness because peripheral vision is preserved, the loss of central vision greatly affects independence and quality of life,” Dello Russo noted.
“Typical symptoms include blurry central vision, trouble reading, and straight lines that appear wavy or distorted.”
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The optometrist added that the industrial dehydration process used to produce instant coffee might produce compounds that cause inflammation and oxidative stress, two significant causes of AMD.
“While this study indicates a correlation rather than definitive causation, the degree of risk warrants consideration,” he stated.
“I advise my patients to think about switching to brewed coffee, especially if they have other risk factors.”
He also stated that early detection is vital for managing AMD.
“If readers are experiencing symptoms such as blurry central vision, difficulty reading, or wavy straight lines, they should schedule an eye examination promptly,” Dello Russo added.
