It already tastes significantly worse, but there might be an even bigger reason not to drink instant coffee.

Chinese researchers say they have found a link between instant coffee and an eye disease that causes blurry or distorted central vision.

They found that those with a preference for instant coffee were up to seven times more likely to develop the disorder than drinkers of other types.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) occurs when the small central area of the retina deteriorates, impacting a person’s ability to read, drive, and recognize faces.

Experts think there might be a connection to how instant coffee is made, as its preparation releases acrylamide, a chemical that might enter the bloodstream and harm the retina.

Dr. Qi Jia, an ophthalmologist who conducted the study, cautioned that consuming instant coffee could elevate the risk of AMD, and cutting back on its intake might aid in prevention.

‘People at high risk of age-related macular degeneration should avoid instant coffee.’

People who have a family history of the disease, are overweight, smoke or have high blood pressure are all at higher risk for the condition. 

Researchers have revealed a potential link between instant coffee and vision loss

People with blue or green eyes are also at an elevated risk because their eyes contain less pigment, which means they can sustain more damage from sunlight.

But the researchers caution their study was observational and does not prove that instant coffee causes AMD.

Previous studies have actually shown that coffee could reduce the risk of AMD. 

A 2023 study involving 67,000 adults linked coffee drinking to a thickening of nerve fiber layers in the eye, helping to protect vision.

However, the new study is one of the few to look at different types of coffee. 

The study used data on participants from the UK Biobank and the FinnGen consortium, which tracks genetic data on people in Britain and Finland.

The study didn’t strictly look at whether someone drank instant coffee, it used a different methodology involving genes.

There is some evidence that people’s genes decide which coffee they prefer, whether they prefer a more bitter or smoother taste and if they can easily tolerate caffeine.

After dividing participants by their genetic predisposition for drinking instant, ground or decaffeinated coffee, they then analyzed the AMD rates.

Results showed those placed in the instant coffee group were 692 percent more likely to be diagnosed with dry age-related macular degeneration — where the macula, in the center of the eye and responsible for central vision, deteriorates over time.

They also said they were 159 percent more likely to suffer from wet age-related macular degeneration — where abnormal blood vessels grow under the macula, causing vision complications.

Decaf drinkers were also found to be 80 percent more likely to suffer from dry AMD, although this difference was not significant.

Participants were only considered to have developed AMD if it appeared after their 50th birthday and was diagnosed by a physician.

AMD is a common condition among older adults, with approximately one in ten Americans aged 50 years or over suffering from the condition. 

There is no cure for the condition, but doctors say that starting treatment early can help to slow its progression.

This may include taking supplements like vitamin C, E and zinc, or drugs for wet AMD that can slow the growth of blood vessels in the eyes.

Researchers emphasize that more work is needed to confirm the findings of the study.

Overall, it included 7,600 participants who had dry AMD and 5,900 who had wet AMD.

It was published in the journal Food Science and Nutrition.