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Can too much caffeine affect your eyesight?

All over the world, that first cup of coffee has become an important start to the day. In fact, statistics show the warm, comforting beverage is now one of the most popular worldwide, with over 400 billion cups consumed each year in thousands of different styles and strengths.

| 4 MINS READ
Can too much caffeine affect your eyesight?

Unfortunately, as with anything, overdoing it can be detrimental to your health. So, as March is Caffeine awareness month, we wanted to find out if too much caffeine could affect eyesight.

The benefits of caffeine

The good news is that, taken in moderation, caffeine can have some positive benefits. Studies have shown that caffeine intake can keep everything from heart problems to type 2 diabetes at bay, while some even suggest it can reduce the risk of liver cancer.

When taken in high doses though, some studies point towards the world’s favourite drink posing a risk to your eyesight...

Glaucoma and coffee

Glaucoma is actually a term that covers a group of diseases that damage the optic nerves behind the eye, and can result in permanent vision loss and eventually blindness. The most common variant of this is exfoliation glaucoma, which creates a white material that can actually cover the lens and iris of the eye.

In a recent study, the dietary and lifestyle histories of thousands of US men and women over 40 years old were examined to see if a link between glaucoma and caffeine consumption could be found. The histories were incredibly comprehensive, including everything from cigarette smoking habits to each person’s average servings of food, and went back for at least 18 years.

In the end, researchers did find clear indications that three cups of caffeinated coffee a day can dramatically increase the risk of developing exfoliation glaucoma, especially when compared to those who drank no caffeinated coffee at all. Interestingly though, the correlation was nowhere near as strong with other caffeinated products like soda, chocolate or tea.

Try something new in the mornings

With that in mind, why not celebrate caffeine awareness month by trying something a little bit different to your usual morning coffee.

1. Green Tea

While Green Tea does contain caffeine, it’s just enough of a boost to get you through Monday morning without overloading your system and giving you those “coffee jitters”. Plus, it’s just as good for your heart and can significantly lower your blood pressure.

2. Smoothies

Smoothies are now an incredibly popular option, especially if you need to take your breakfast in a hurry. Packed full of fruits and veg, any combination of ingredients is bound to give you the healthy boost you need to get through your day. We suggest adding nuts to your smoothie, which are not only great for your eyes but will also help elevate your blood sugar levels and perk you up.

3. Lemon Water

It might seem simple, but why not try simply adding the juice of half a lemon along with a teaspoon of freshly grated zest to your morning H20. The sharp flavour will soon have you out of your morning daze, and won’t leave you feeling sluggish in the afternoon like caffeine can.

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