
For many of us, the morning hasn’t started until we’ve had our first cup of coffee for the day.
From tea, chocolate, a can of Coke or energy drink, caffeine is in many of the food and drinks we consume, and with many health benefits such as lowering your risk of Type 2 Diabetes, protecting you from Alzheimer’s and Dementia and even helping burn fat, it is a great addition to our diet.
But are we drinking too much caffeine, and what can too much do to our health?
Lenstorehas analysed the short and long-term symptoms we could experience from consuming too much caffeine, from blurry vision, muscle aches and insomnia. In addition, the analysis looks at the coffee capitals of the world to show who is consuming the most and how much it costs for a cup in each city. We also use search volume to determine the most popular coffee style in every country.
Could drinking too much coffee see you looking like Steve in 50-100 years?
A healthy adult is recommended to have no more than400 milligrams(mg) of caffeineeach day, which works out to roughly four cups of coffee.
With people in the UK consuming 2.71 cups of coffee a day on average, and almostone in five of us drinking five or more (19%),we wanted to visualise Steve, who is representative of just what we might look like and the symptoms we could experience if we don’t curb our caffeine habits.
Anxiety
It’s no surprise almost half of us (49%) admit that we can’t start our day without a cup of tea or coffee, however almost one in five of us (18%) admit that caffeine gives us anxiety.
Caffeine triggers the release of adrenaline, which is the ‘fight or flight’ hormone associated with increased energy. When we overdose on caffeine, these effects become heightened and can cause us to feel nervous, anxious, and jittery. Both increased and modest doses have been shown to cause increased stress levels.
Insomnia
Many of us have caffeine to stay awake, but that also means it can make it difficult to get a decent night’s sleep with a third (33%) admitting that caffeine makes it difficult for them to fall asleep at night.
It’s important to be conscious of the time you are having caffeine to ensure it doesn’t interfere with your sleeping patterns and recovery, with research showing it can stay in your system for up to nine hours. Signs of insomnia can see you experience dry eyes, which if this is the case is important to lubricate your eyes with eye drops and avoid wearingcontact lensesif possible until the symptom reduces.
Headaches
Interestingly, caffeine can both cause and cure a headache with more than one in five (22%) of our respondents saying it gives them a headache, however, more than two fifths (43%) said it doesn’t. With caffeine featuring in over-the-counter pain-relief medications, it can in fact help reduce inflammation which, as a result, can bring relief.
Unfortunately, it is what makes caffeine so effective at reducing a headache that can also cause it. With caffeine narrowing the blood vessels around your brain, when you stop taking it, these vessels expand again and your pain will come back. Headaches are often a symptom people experience from the withdrawal of coffee.
Dizziness/ lightheadedness
Like other stimulants such as tobacco, caffeine reduces blood flow to the brain, which may see you experiencing sensations of light-headedness or wooziness from overconsumption of coffee.
Muscle tremors
As a stimulant, too much caffeine can cause your muscles to twitch or spasm and can occur in different forms, from an eye twitch to trembling hands. While this is often only a fleeting feeling, it may be a sign that you need to reduce your caffeine consumption.
High blood pressure
Whilst caffeine overall does not appear to increase your risk of heart disease, it has been shown to raise your blood pressure according to severalstudies. Many of our respondents agree with more than a quarter (26%) revealing caffeine increases their heart rate.
Therefore, you should carefully monitor your caffeine intake if you already suffer from high blood pressure, as high levels can put you at a greater risk of a heart attack or stroke.
High blood pressure and your eyes
High blood pressure can damage the tiny blood vessels that supply blood to the eyes, which as a result can cause a number ofeye problems, including retinopathy (where your retina becomes damaged and can lead to blurred vision, bleeding in the eye and even complete sight loss). High blood pressure can also cause nerve damage which can impactyour ability to see, as well as a fluid buildup in the retina known as choroidopathy, which can impair your vision as well.
Studiesare also now showing a connection between those consuming large amounts of caffeine each day and their risk ofglaucoma(this is being seen as a risk for those with a genetic predisposition to higher eye pressure). Glaucoma can have a number of symptoms including red eye, eye pain, seeing rings around lights, blurred vision and blindness if left untreated.
Confusion & hallucinations
Caffeine can trigger a number of emotions, from irritability to anger and confusion. Both consuming it and having withdrawal from it can cause a number of reactions from finding it difficult to concentrate and even feeling depressed. If you are noticing that your mental health is being affected, it is important to speak to your GP.
Overconsumption of coffee can see the body become more stressed, and as a result of high adrenaline levels, can cause you to become confused or even hallucinate. Brain fog is also a common symptom people experience from the withdrawal of caffeine, and whilst it is experienced by many, it is still unhealthy and maybe a sign you need to cut back.
Blurred vision
Excessive consumption of caffeine can see a sudden increase in your blood sugar levels, which can lead to blurred vision, eye spasms and potentially a burning or tingling sensation in your eye area.
The Coffee Capitals of the World
Lenstore also wanted to look into coffee consumption across the world to find out where the most caffeinated cities are. Looking at the number of coffee shops per square mile, the country’s annual consumption and the average cost of a cup, the study crowns the most caffeine-addicted locations.
The top 10 countries that consume the highest amount of coffee each year
Country | Annual coffee consumption per person each year (kg) |
Finland | 9.6 |
Iceland | 9 |
Sweden | 8.2 |
Norway | 7.2 |
Netherlands | 6.7 |
Slovenia | 6.1 |
Austria | 5.5 |
Denmark | 5.3 |
Germany | 5.2 |
Belgium | 4.9 |
When it comes to who is drinking the most coffee, the Nordic countries dominate the top 10, with Finland, Iceland, Sweden and Norway all featuring in the top five consumers. Finland ranks top, with each person consuming 9.6kg of coffee each year, which is triple the number of individuals across 20 other countries, including the UK (1.7kg), New Zealand (1.3kg), the USA (3.1kg) and France (3.2kg).
Turkey consumes the least coffee of all countries analysed at just 0.4kg per person each year. Surprisingly the USA consumes less coffee than most countries at 3.1kg, and the UK the seventh lowest amount in the analysis.
The top 10 cities for affordable coffee include:
City | Country | Cost of a coffee |
Bogotá | Colombia | 0.93 |
Istanbul | Turkey | 0.94 |
Rome | Italy | 1.09 |
Budapest | Hungary | 1.26 |
Lisbon | Portugal | 1.49 |
Ljubljana | Slovenia | 1.55 |
Mexico City | Mexico | 1.67 |
Madrid | Spain | 1.69 |
San José | Costa Rica | 1.84 |
Bratislava | Slovakia | 1.85 |
Columbia’s Bogotátakes the crown as the cheapest city to buy a cup of coffee at just £0.93, which is shockingly nearly five times less than a cup of coffee in Copenhagen, which comes to a staggering £4.47. Europe and South America dominate the top 10 cheapest cities list for a cup of coffee, with Rome, Italy sitting in third at £1.09, a city and country known for its fantastic-tasting coffee.
The top 10 cities with the highest number of coffee shops per square mile
City | Country | Coffee shops per square mile |
Athens | Greece | 17.4 |
Seoul | South Korea | 9.4 |
Paris | France | 7.0 |
Tokyo | Japan | 6.0 |
Dublin | Ireland | 5.1 |
Lisbon | Portugal | 4.3 |
London | United Kingdom | 2.6 |
Copenhagen | Denmark | 2.5 |
San José | Costa Rica | 2.4 |
Prague | Czech Republic | 2.3 |
There’s nothing better than grabbing a cup of coffee when exploring new cities, but how easy is it to get your hands on one? Athens takes the crown with the highest number of coffee shops per square mile at a whopping 17.4. Next is Seoul, where the South Korean capital has over 9 coffee shops per square mile. London ranks in the top 10 with just under 3 coffee shops per square mile, meaning you’re spoilt for choice whilst exploring.
The cappuccino crowned as the world’s most popular coffee according to search interest
For the final part of the study, Lenstore analysed search interest to determine the most popular coffee drink in every major city. From espresso to a flat white, these are the most popular coffees in each location.
Coffee type | Country’s most favourite |
Cappuccino | Vienna, Brussels, Copenhagen, Tallinn, Helsinki, Paris, Budapest, Reykjavik, Dublin, Luxembourg, Amsterdam, Oslo, Warsaw Lisbon, Bratislava, Madrid, Stockholm, Bern |
Espresso | Toronto, Athens, Jerusalem, Rome, Ljubljana, Istanbul, London, Washington D.C. |
Flat White | Prague, Berlin, Riga, Vilnius |
Mocha | Canberra, Tokyo, Wellington, Seoul |
Latte | Santiago, San Jose, Mexico City |
Americana | Bogotá |
Based on the research above, how bad is your caffeine obsession?
Methodology
Lenstore’s study has researched the long and short term effects of the high intake of caffeine, looking at what it can do physically and psychologically. In addition, Lenstore has analysed the caffeine consumption of countries around the world, the average cost of a coffee in major global cities and the number of coffee shops per square mile in these locations to find out the most coffee-addicted destinations. Finally Lenstore analysed a seedlist of the most popular coffee’s and used Google Keyword Planner to determine the most searched style in 38 countries.
Sources used include:
- https://www.healthline.com/health/caffeine-and-anxiety#caffeine-and-anxiety
- https://silversteineyecenters.com/blog/2017/02/does-caffeine-affect-vision/
- https://www.healthline.com/health/caffeine-effects-on-body
- https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/caffeine-side-effects#TOC_TITLE_HDR_11
- https://iris.ca/en/blog-post-detail/how-does-caffeine-affect-your-eyesight
- https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/how-much-caffeine-tea
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/caffeine/art-20045678#:~:text=Up%20to%20400%20milligrams%20(mg,two%20%22energy%20shot%22%20drinks.
- https://www.numbeo.com/
- https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/
- https://www.caffeineinformer.com/caffeine-what-the-world-drinks
- https://public.knoema.com/hvfyqyb/world-coffee-consumption?country=1000370-chile
- Google Keyword Planner
FAQs
The Caffeine Effect: How can caffeine affect our health and vision? - Lenstore? ›
Excessive consumption of caffeine can see a sudden increase in your blood sugar levels, which can lead to blurred vision, eye spasms and potentially a burning or tingling sensation in your eye area.
How does caffeine affect your vision? ›An excessive consumption of coffee or caffeinated beverages can suddenly increase blood sugar levels, which can lead to blurred vision or spasms of the eyelid (eye twitches). Drinking too much caffeine can also cause a burning sensation and may make your eyes a little tingly.
Can caffeine withdrawal cause vision problems? ›There are no reported effects of caffeine withdrawal causing visual loss, however, it is theoretically possible. Caffeine is a powerful stimulant. It may have effects on the tear film or other effects on the eye that are, as yet, not fully known.
What are the benefits of caffeine to the eye? ›An antioxidant found in coffee, called chlorogenic acid (or CLA), could help keep eyes healthy. That's according to a joint study out of South Korea and the US, which concluded that this powerful antioxidant can play a role in preventing age-related eye diseases and the degeneration of eyesight.
How does caffeine affect the body? ›Caffeine is a stimulant, which means it increases activity in your brain and nervous system. It also increases the circulation of chemicals such as cortisol and adrenaline in the body. In small doses, caffeine can make you feel refreshed and focused.
Can caffeine increase eye floaters? ›What about floaters? Your cup of coffee isn't the culprit here. Floaters – wispy, cloud-like shapes or spots or specks that drift in and out of your vision – are usually caused by age-related changes that happen to the jelly-like substance that fills the inside of your eyeball.
Does caffeine affect blood vessels in the eyes? ›We already know that the caffeine constrict the arteries and may decrease the blood supply to some organs including the retina and optic nerve and we also know that the vascular component plays a major role in glaucoma patient.
What happens to your body when you quit caffeine? ›The severity of symptoms vary from individual to individual, and most commonly include a headache, fatigue, decreased energy/activeness, decreased alertness, drowsiness, decreased contentedness, depressed mood, difficulty concentrating, irritability, and feeling foggy/not clearheaded.
What are 5 signs of caffeine withdrawal? ›- Headaches.
- Tiredness.
- Difficulty concentrating.
- Nausea.
- Muscle pain.
- Irritability.
Caffeine has a half-life of about 5 hours. Someone who consumes 40 milligrams (mg) of caffeine will have 20 mg remaining in their system after 5 hours. When do effects peak? Levels of caffeine peak in the blood within about 15–45 minutes of consumption.
Does caffeine affect macular degeneration? ›
Macular Findings in Coffee Drinkers
What they found is that caffeine can potentially slow the progression of inflammatory retinal diseases such as age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy.
“When used in skin care, caffeine reduces blood flow to the skin and makes it look brighter and tighter,” Dr. Hsu says. “It's often seen as an anti-aging or wrinkle-smoothing ingredient in face care, eye care, and even body care.”
How do you lower eye pressure? ›- Eat a healthy diet. Eating a healthy diet can help you maintain your health, but it won't prevent glaucoma from worsening. ...
- Exercise safely. ...
- Limit your caffeine. ...
- Sip fluids carefully. ...
- Take prescribed medicine.
It can affect your sleep, digestion, blood pressure, and heart rate. Children should be careful, as well. Too much caffeine can damage a child's developing heart, blood vessels, and nervous system. So make sure to keep track of how much you -- and your children -- get.
What are 5 effects of caffeine? ›Caffeine can cause insomnia, nervousness, restlessness, nausea, increased heart rate, and other side effects. Larger doses might cause headache, anxiety, and chest pain. Caffeine is likely unsafe when used in very high doses. It can cause irregular heartbeat and even death.
What are the long term side effects of caffeine? ›Long-term effects at this level may include chronic insomnia, constant anxiety, depression, and stomach problems. It can also cause high blood pressure or make high blood pressure worse. More than 300 mg of caffeine (about 2 to 3 cups of coffee) in a day may be linked to miscarriages and low-birth weight babies.
What is best to drink for eye floaters? ›Drink enough water
This can lead to the occurrence of floaters because the proteins in this substance do not remain dissolved and thus, they solidify. Ensure that you consume the recommended intake of water which is at least eight glasses every day.
Options may include surgery to remove the vitreous or a laser to disrupt the floaters, although both procedures are rarely done. Surgery to remove the vitreous. An ophthalmologist who is a specialist in retina and vitreous surgery removes the vitreous through a small incision (vitrectomy).
Why am I suddenly getting lots of floaters? ›When to get help right away. Sometimes new floaters can be a sign of a retinal tear or retinal detachment — when the retina gets torn or pulled from its normal position at the back of the eye. Symptoms can include: A lot of new floaters that appear suddenly, sometimes with flashes of light.
How much caffeine is too much? ›The FDA estimates toxic effects, like seizures, can be observed with rapid consumption of around 1,200 milligrams of caffeine, or 0.15 tablespoons of pure caffeine.
What can I replace caffeine with? ›
- Chicory root "coffee"
- B vitamins.
- Carob.
- Rhodiola.
- Water.
- Maca.
- Peppermint tea.
- Cordyceps.
These speak for themselves, but cutting down on your caffeine consumption can lead to less anxiety, better sleep, more efficient nutrient absorption, whiter teeth, balanced hormones, improved brain chemistry, and fewer headaches.
Is decaf 100% no caffeine? ›How much caffeine is in decaf coffee? Decaffeination removes about 97% or more of the caffeine in coffee beans. A typical cup of decaf coffee has about 2 mg of caffeine, compared to a typical cup of regular coffee, which has about 95 mg of caffeine.
How do you detox from coffee? ›- Day One: Drink your normal amount of coffee.
- Day Two: Try replacing around 25 percent of your regular coffee with decaf, or simply decrease your coffee consumption by 25 percent.
- Day Three: Start mixing half of your coffee with decaf or cut overall coffee consumption in half.
Caffeine may cause a short, but dramatic increase in your blood pressure, even if you don't have high blood pressure. It's unclear what causes this spike in blood pressure. The blood pressure response to caffeine differs from person to person.
Can caffeine cause anxiety? ›Caffeine and Anxiety Make You Feel Jittery and Nervous
That's because caffeine stimulates your “fight or flight” response, according to a 2006 study, and research from 2018 has shown that this can make anxiety worse and can even trigger an anxiety attack.
The inhibitory effect of caffeine against cataract formation is thus statistically highly significant. The cataract-lowering effect becomes highly visible as the caffeine consumption levels reach near 50 mg and then nearly complete at 100 mg/day.
What vitamin helps the eyes with macular degeneration? ›Vitamins A, C, and E are the most effective vitamins for reducing the risk of macular degeneration [13]. However, only vitamin A plays an essential role in the human retinal pigment epithelial cells, whereas vitamins C and E are known to act as antioxidants.
Does caffeine affect the optic nerve? ›Long-Term Effects of Caffeine on the Eyes
Research shows that there is a direct correlation between people who drink three or more cups of coffee per day and their chance for developing glaucoma. This eye disease is characterized by high pressure on the optic nerve, which can reduce the field of vision.
- Botox. Botox is one of the best known methods for eliminating wrinkles around the eyes. ...
- InterFuse Treatment Cream EYE. This skinbetter daily treatment cream offers a daily option for fighting lines under your eyes. ...
- Invisilift 3-Minute Mask. ...
- VI Peel.
How can I make my aging eyes look younger? ›
Opt for a lighter eyeshadow rather than a dark, smoky shade on your eyelids and around the eyes, like Jenna Dewan Tatum. "Highlighting the corners makes eyes look brighter and fresh," says Ahnert. "Use a light color shadow in matte or shimmer to inner corner, lower lash line in outer corner, and the inner lid."
How can I tighten my eye wrinkles naturally? ›- trying facial exercises.
- treating allergies.
- eating a balanced diet.
- avoiding sun exposure.
- reducing or quitting smoking.
- getting enough sleep.
- switching to silk, satin, or copper pillowcases.
Birth Cohorts (years) | No. Of Subjects | Mean ± SD |
---|---|---|
IOP (mmHg) | ||
65–69 | 327 | 15.5±2.4 |
70–74 | 294 | 14.8±2.4 |
75–79 | 141 | 15.5±2.3 |
With the knowledge that IOP rises at night or whenever a person is prone, many doctors have advised their patients to sleep in an upright position. One study found that turning the head into a pillow in a simulated sleep position is associated with a clinically significant increase in estimated IOP.
What vitamins help reduce eye pressure? ›Treating it may ultimately involve addressing both pressure issues and neuroprotective issues. Vitamin supplements that have been posited to have an effect on glaucoma include B1, B3, B12, C, A and E.
What diseases can caffeine cause? ›- Bladder and pancreatic cancer. Studies performed more than 30 years ago suggested a potential link between coffee consumption and cancers of the bladder, pancreas, and possibly others. ...
- Esophageal cancer. ...
- Cardiovascular disease. ...
- Bothersome, but mostly minor, side effects.
Hu said that moderate coffee intake—about 2–5 cups a day—is linked to a lower likelihood of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, liver and endometrial cancers, Parkinson's disease, and depression. It's even possible that people who drink coffee can reduce their risk of early death.
What medical conditions should avoid caffeine? ›People with some medical conditions should avoid caffeine. Talk to you doctor about your caffeine consumption if you have high blood pressure or heart problems, are taking medicines or over-the-counter supplements, or are dealing with stress or anxiety.
What are 3 immediate effects that caffeine can have on your body? ›Because caffeine is a stimulant, it is common to experience: increased alertness. increased blood pressure. increased breathing rate.
Will quitting coffee lower blood pressure? ›Lower Blood Pressure: Quitting caffeine can lower your blood pressure and take pressure off of your heart. Improved Sleep: Because it has a relatively long half-life, caffeine can negatively impact sleep long after you've consumed it.
Can too much caffeine symptoms vision? ›
An excessive consumption of coffee or caffeinated beverages can suddenly increase blood sugar levels, which can lead to blurred vision or spasms of the eyelid (eye twitches). Drinking too much caffeine can also cause a burning sensation and may make your eyes a little tingly.
What does caffeine do to your brain? ›Caffeine is a stimulant, which means it increases activity in your brain and nervous system. It also increases the circulation of chemicals such as cortisol and adrenaline in the body. In small doses, caffeine can make you feel refreshed and focused.
How does caffeine affect the heart? ›Caffeine affects the heart in multiple ways. Firstly, it promotes the release of noradrenaline and norepinephrine. Among other things, these hormones increase heart rate and blood pressure. Additionally, caffeine can act on enzymes that stimulate heart contractions, causing the heart to contract with more force.
How do I stop my vision from blurry from anxiety? ›You can't control your vision. If blurry vision occurs, you simply need to wait for your anxiety to calm down in order for your vision to return to normal or take special care to reduce secondary issues that may be leading to the symptom, like eye strain.
How do you flush caffeine out of your system? ›Begin to substitute cold caffeinated beverages with water. Water is a healthy choice and satisfies the need for drinking a liquid. Water also naturally flushes caffeine from your body and keeps you hydrated. If you are a coffee drinker, gradually switch from regular coffee to decaf.
What can cause blurred vision to come and go? ›- diabetes.
- migraine.
- stroke.
- head injury.
- low blood sugar.
- pre-eclampsia (high blood pressure) if you are pregnant.
- psoriasis (a skin condition that sometimes can also affect the eyes)
- multiple sclerosis.
While blurred vision often gets worse gradually, there are conditions that may cause blurring to start up suddenly. These types of conditions can be medical emergencies and include: Stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA). A steep increase in blood pressure.
How do you know if anxiety is affecting your vision? ›Anxiety can cause blurry vision, tunnel vision, light sensitivity, visual snow, and potentially seeing flashes of light. Each of these has a different cause and may need to be addressed in specific ways to each visual problem. Only a comprehensive, long-term anxiety treatment will prevent future vision problems.
Can anxiety cause brain fog and blurry vision? ›Anxiety brain fog happens when a person feels anxious and has difficulty concentrating or thinking clearly. Many conditions may cause anxiety and brain fog, including mental health diagnoses and physical illnesses. It is normal to experience occasional brain fog and anxiety, especially during high stress.
Can anxiety damage your vision? ›When we are severely stressed and anxious, high levels of adrenaline in the body can cause pressure on the eyes, resulting in blurred vision. People with long-term anxiety can suffer from eye strain throughout the day on a regular basis.
What happens when you quit caffeine? ›
Withdrawal Symptoms
These include headache, tiredness, sleepiness, down moods, trouble concentrating, and crankiness. You'll start to feel symptoms a day or two after you stop. They can last anywhere from 2 to 9 days.
According to the FDA, the half-life of caffeine is between four and six hours. This means that up to six hours after drinking a caffeinated beverage, half of the caffeine you consumed is still present in your body — keeping you alert. And, if it's bedtime, keeping you from falling asleep.
Why you should quit caffeine? ›Benefits of Quitting Caffeine
These speak for themselves, but cutting down on your caffeine consumption can lead to less anxiety, better sleep, more efficient nutrient absorption, whiter teeth, balanced hormones, improved brain chemistry, and fewer headaches.
- Rest and recovery. Human eyes are sensitive and need rest just like the rest of your body, so make sure you're getting enough decent sleep. ...
- Lubricate the eyes. ...
- Improve air quality. ...
- Stop smoking. ...
- Avoid allergens. ...
- Take omega-3 fatty acids. ...
- Protect your eyes. ...
- Take vitamin A.
A patient may have blurred vision that comes and goes, or any number of other vision irregularities. Fluctuating vision may be a sign of diabetes or hypertension (high blood pressure), which are chronic conditions that can damage the blood vessels in the retina.
What is the best eye drops for blurry vision? ›USE. VUITY® (pilocarpine hydrochloride ophthalmic solution) 1.25% is a prescription eye drop used to treat age-related blurry near vision (presbyopia) in adults.
Can low vitamin D cause blurred vision? ›Can vitamin D deficiency affect eyesight? Dry eyes could be a sign of vitamin D deficiency. When the eyes become dry as a result of low vitamin D levels, it may also become more difficult to produce tears. The eyes might feel gritty, sore or itchy and vision could become blurred.
What health conditions cause blurred vision? ›- Vision Problems.
- Common Eye Problems.
- Pinkeye - Conjunctivitis.
- Glaucoma.
- Styes.
- Pupil & Iris Problems.
- Cataracts.
- Macular Degeneration.
Diabetic eye degeneration can cause blurred and/or spotty vision and can lead to blindness if not properly diagnosed and treated. Stroke: Sudden blurred vision is also a symptom of strokes. Strokes impede blood flow in the brain and can cause blurry vision, double vision, or sudden loss of sight.