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Millions of people around the world start their day with a cup of coffee. In 2021 alone, approximately 10 billion tons of coffee were consumed globally. With consumption at such a high level, researchers are taking a closer look at how these beverages may affect health. A recent study suggests that how much coffee you drink may influence its benefits, adding to evidence that coffee may have several positive effects on eye health.
The research found that consuming the caffeine equivalent of three cups of coffee may affect the thickness of the macular retinal nerve fiber layer. Made up of nerve cells that carry visual information, this layer is an important marker of macular health. The macula is the central part of the retina that allows us to see clear, detailed vision and color perception.<
More than 35,000 healthy participants from the UK Biobank provided retinal photographs and blood pressure measurements. They also completed a questionnaire about their daily coffee and tea intake during the previous year. Participants were categorized by consumption, from non-drinkers to those drinking more than four cups a day. During separate appointments, they were given 300 mg of caffeine, 30 g of glucose, or 300 ml of water for comparison.
Measurements were repeated 30, 60, and 120 minutes after participants received each substance. Neither glucose nor water caused noticeable changes, but caffeine led to constriction of the blood vessels in the eyes. This suggests that caffeine, at least temporarily, can cause the arteries and veins in the retina to become narrower.
The blood vessels in the retina may provide valuable clues about what is happening throughout the body. Because retinal vessel changes have been associated with conditions such as heart disease, researchers are investigating whether retinal imaging could eventually become a routine tool for assessing health. Measurements of the central retinal arteries and veins are already being studied as potential indicators of disease risk and overall health.
To view the original scientific study click below:
Acute effects of caffeine and glucose intake on retinal vessel calibres in healthy volunteers
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