With many ‘good things’ in life, we are constantly bombarded with often contradictory advice about what is either incredibly healthy for us or a terrible risk.
The latest study to come out of the works is that drinking 3 cups of coffee or more a day could be terrible for our vision. A report in the Daily Mail suggests that drinking three or more cups of coffee a day could seriously damage your sight.
The newspaper refers to a study, published in the journal Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science, suggesting coffee lovers should reduce their coffee intake to lower their chances of developing glaucoma.
Drinking 3 or more cups of coffee a day could cause eye damage
The researchers, from the Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, suggest that compounds found in coffee may increase pressure within the eyeball, causing a vision-destroying condition known as exfoliation glaucoma.The study assessed over 120,000 people in both the UK and U.S. All were over 40 and not suffering from glaucoma.
each participant completed a questionnaire about how much coffee they drank and their medical records were checked for a history of glaucoma.
The results found that those who drank more than three cups a day had an increased risk of developing glaucoma compared with those who hardly drank coffee. No correlation was found in other caffinated drinks such as hot chocolate or cola.
Glaucoma occurs when the drainage tubes within the eye become slightly blocked, preventing eye fluid from draining properly and therefore resulting in a build up of pressure.
This can damage the optic nerve, which connects the eye to the brain, and the nerve fibres from the retina.
Discussing the findings, NHS.co.uk do not feel that it is reason enough to avoid coffee all together: “By far the greatest risk of exfoliation glaucoma was among those with a family history of glaucoma – which is a factor already known to be linked with developing glaucoma.
Coffee has been linked in the past with both health problems and health benefits. So, despite the headlines, there’s no need to ditch the cappuccino altogether, but it makes sense to drink coffee and other caffeinated products in moderation.”
This research comes after findings early this year that drinking 4 to 5 cups of coffee a day could cut the risk of diabetes, skin cancer, stress, cavities, breast cancer and heart disease.
Healthy Living News 