Latest news with #FoodScience&Nutrition
The Star
17-07-2025
- Health
- The Star
Is instant coffee bad for your eyes?
New research finds a link between instant coffee – but not other types of coffee – and an incurable condition that causes blindness. — dpa A new study suggests that drinking instant coffee could raise the risk of dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a major cause of vision loss in older adults. Interestingly, the study, published in the journal Food Science & Nutrition , found no similar risk with ground coffee, decaffeinated (decaf) coffee, or total coffee intake. 'AMD is a leading cause of vision loss among the elderly in developed countries,' study corresponding author Dr Liu Siwei from the Department of Ophthalmology of Hubei University of Medicine's Shiyan Taihe Hospital in China told Medical News Today . 'As there is currently no cure, identifying new modifiable factors is crucial for slowing disease progression, preserving vision and improving patients' quality of life.' The researchers used the data of over 500,000 participants from the UK Biobank genome-wide association studies summary statistics. They applied a method called Mendelian randomisation, which uses genetic differences to study cause and effect, similar to a clinical trial. 'Coffee is one of the most widely consumed beverages worldwide and is rich in polyphenols and antioxidants that may offer neuroprotective effects,' Dr Liu explained. 'At the same time, growing evidence shows that genetics influence dietary preferences. 'Studying the genetic predisposition to coffee consumption and its relationship with AMD risk may help reveal potential causal links between diet and eye diseases.' The researchers believe that the increased risk may come from chemical changes, additives or byproducts formed during the processing of instant coffee – things that are not found in freshly-brewed coffee. However, the team noted some limitations to their study, like using mostly European data and not having detailed information about different coffee types. – dpa
Mint
09-07-2025
- Health
- Mint
Beware, coffee lovers! New study reveals this common brew may cause incurable blindness
Love coffee? If your day doesn't start without a steaming cup of coffee, you might want to take a closer look at what's in your mug. A new study has revealed the danger of consuming a commonly consumed type of coffee, linking it to an increased risk of blindness among those who drink coffee regularly. The study, published in the journal Food Science & Nutrition, mentions that instant coffees can increase your risk of getting age-related macular degeneration (AMD) by 700 per cent. AMD is the leading cause of blindness. And it is incurable. The study mentions that the results showed a genetic correlation between those who consume instant coffees and dry AMD. In fact, with every increase in instant coffee intake, the risk of getting dry AMD was nearly seven times higher. 'Our results revealed a genetic correlation between instant coffee consumption and dry AMD, with each standard deviation (SD) increase in instant coffee intake associated with a corresponding odds ratio (OR) of approximately 6.92 for dry AMD, indicating a 6.92-fold increased risk,' the study says. 'Instant coffee may increase the risk of AMD, and reducing its intake could help prevent dry AMD.' The study further suggests that people who are at high risk for AMD should avoid instant coffee. Also Read | Smart espresso machine craze: Is India ready for connected coffee? The journal explains that age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a common eye disease and one of the 'leading causes of irreversible blindness'. There are two types of AMD: wet AMD and dry AMD. Dry AMD: The most common type of AMD has no exact cause. According to Johns Hopkins, the 'loss of vision in this condition is usually slow and gradual'. Wet AMD: Though this type is less common, it usually leads to more severe vision loss in patients than dry AMD, Johns Hopkins says. It is the most common cause of severe loss of vision. 'Wet AMD happens when abnormal blood vessels start to grow beneath the retina. They leak fluid and blood – hence the name wet AMD – and can create a large blind spot in the centre of the visual field,' it said.
Mint
09-07-2025
- Health
- Mint
Beware coffee lovers! New study reveals this type of common brew can make you blind. And it's incurable
Love coffee? If your day doesn't start without a steaming cup of coffee, you might want to take a closer look at what's in your mug. A new study has revealed the danger of consuming a commonly consumed type of coffee, linking it to an increased risk of blindness among those who drink coffee regularly. The study, published in the journal Food Science & Nutrition, mentions that instant coffees can increase your risk of getting age-related macular degeneration (AMD) by 700 per cent. AMD is the leading cause of blindness. And it is incurable! The study mentions that the results showed a genetic correlation between those who consume instant coffees and dry AMD. In fact, with every increase in instant coffee intake, the risk of getting dry AMD was nearly seven times higher. 'Our results revealed a genetic correlation between instant coffee consumption and dry AMD, with each standard deviation (SD) increase in instant coffee intake associated with a corresponding odds ratio (OR) of approximately 6.92 for dry AMD, indicating a 6.92-fold increased risk,' the study says. 'Instant coffee may increase the risk of AMD, and reducing its intake could help prevent dry AMD.' It further suggests that people who are at high-risk for AMD should avoid instant coffee. The journal explains that age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a common eye disease and one of the 'leading causes of irreversible blindness'. There are two types of AMD: wet AMD and dry AMD. Dry AMD: The most common type of AMD has no exact cause. According to John Hopkins, the 'loss of vision in this condition is usually slow and gradual.' Wet AMD: Though this type is less common, it usually leads to more severe vision loss in patients than dry AMD, John Hopkins says. It is the most common cause of severe loss of vision. 'Wet AMD happens when abnormal blood vessels start to grow beneath the retina. They leak fluid and blood – hence the name wet AMD – and can create a large blind spot in the center of the visual field,' it said. Blurry or fuzzy vision Straight lines appear wavy A dark, empty area or blind spot appears in the center of vision Loss of central vision Dr. Siwei Liu, a researcher in the Department of Ophthalmology at Shiyan Taihe Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, China, told Medical News Today, "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.'
New York Post
08-07-2025
- Health
- New York Post
Your risk of developing an incurable blinding condition goes up 700% if you prefer this kind of coffee
Blinded by the brew? Whether you're a latte lover, a mocha monster or an espresso elitist — people have strong preferences when it comes to coffee. But what if we told you your choice of java wasn't simply a matter of taste? 3 A recent study suggests your choice of java is much more than a matter of taste. brizmaker – An eye-opening study — published recently in the journal Food Science & Nutrition — found that drinking instant coffee may dramatically increase your risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a leading cause of blindness. Researchers analyzed data from over 500,000 participants in the UK Biobank and discovered that instant coffee drinkers with a certain genetic predisposition were 700% more likely to develop dry AMD, the more common — and currently incurable — form of the disease. '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,' Dr. Siwei Liu, a researcher in the Department of Ophthalmology for Shiyan Taihe Hospital at Hubei University of Medicine in China, told Medical News Today. 'It provides new insight into AMD pathogenesis and offers a potential direction for personalized prevention strategies, such as gene-informed lifestyle interventions.' 3 Researchers found that drinking instant coffee may dramatically increase your risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a leading cause of blindness. Vitalii – Dry AMD affects the macula, a small region in the back of the retina responsible for central vision. As the damage progresses, people may experience blurry spots, difficulty reading and, eventually, a permanent loss of vision. While risk factors like age and genetics are beyond our control, lifestyle choices such as diet, exercise and smoking play a role. Researchers are now adding coffee preference to the list. 3 'Coffee is one of the most widely consumed beverages worldwide and is rich in polyphenols and antioxidants that may offer neuroprotective effects,' one researcher said. Getty Images/iStockphoto Liu noted that AMD is a leading cause of vision loss among older people in industrialized nations, which is why recognizing and managing lifestyle factors is important for slowing disease progression, preserving vision and improving quality of life. The findings suggest that, when it comes to eyesight, all coffee is certainly not created equal. 'Coffee is one of the most widely consumed beverages worldwide and is rich in polyphenols and antioxidants that may offer neuroprotective effects,' Liu told Medical News Today. 'At the same time, growing evidence shows that genetics influence dietary preferences. Studying the genetic predisposition to coffee consumption and its relationship with AMD risk may help reveal potential causal links between diet and eye diseases.' Liu's team plans to validate these findings in other populations, dig deeper into the metabolic pathways and figure out whether instant coffee is directly affecting the mechanisms behind AMD. 'We also aim to perform longitudinal cohort analyses to clarify the causal relationship between coffee intake and AMD progression,' she said.
New Indian Express
18-06-2025
- Health
- New Indian Express
Ultra-processed food vs Mental Health
Yet another concerning effect of ultra-processed food (UPF) consumption has come to light — and this time, it's not just about physical health. A recent study published in the journal Food Science & Nutrition has revealed a strong connection between UPF consumption, addictive eating patterns, and psychological distress, including anxiety, tension, and low mood. Experts decode the findings for CE, explaining why UPFs may be as emotionally harmful as they are nutritionally questionable. Ultra-processed foods have long been criticised for their poor nutritional value. Now, new evidence shows their impact runs deeper. Sujatha Stephen, RD, chief nutritionist at Yashoda Hospitals, Malakpet, points to the study conducted in Ankara, Turkey, involving nearly 4,000 adults. 'The research revealed a significant association between high UPF intake and emotional states like depression, anxiety, and stress, along with addictive eating behaviours,' she said. 'It suggests that UPF consumption may not be a mere dietary choice, but rather a coping mechanism for managing emotional discomfort,' she added. Sujatha explains that this coping mechanism is amplified by the way these foods are designed. Rich in sugar, salt, and fat — and engineered to be hyper-palatable — UPFs activate the brain's reward systems, providing temporary emotional relief. 'Those with higher scores on the Yale Food Addiction Scale also reported greater UPF consumption,' she explained, adding, 'Emotional states like depression and anxiety were positively correlated with UPF intake, further reinforcing the idea that distress can lead to overconsumption.' The study also revealed notable demographic patterns. Younger individuals, women, single people, and those not currently employed were more likely to consume high levels of UPFs. 'These groups may be more vulnerable due to lifestyle stressors and limited access to healthier alternatives,' she observed. This underscores the need for a multidimensional approach that combines nutritional guidance, mental health support, and community-level interventions.
