This type of coffee ‘significantly increases’ risk of permanent blindness, new study finds

UNDATED (WKRC) – A new study suggests that instant coffee “significantly increases” a person’s risk of developing permanent blindness.

The research, published in Food Science & Nutrition and reported by PEOPLE, found that instant coffee “significantly increases” the risk of age-related macular degeneration, or AMD — a common eye disease that can cause permanent vision loss in people over 50.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, AMD affects the center of the retina, which controls central vision.

Researchers said “different effects of various types of coffee on AMD may be related to manufacturing processes, additives and other factors,” PEOPLE reported.

They also cited studies indicating that the “production of instant coffee may lead to the formation of potentially harmful substances.”