Terrifying new research reveals what drinking too much caffeine will make humans look like in 50 years time

Most of us will admit to not being able to make it through the day without a cup or two of coffee, but what effects can drinking too much caffeine have on our mental and physical health, and how can it impact our appearance in the long term? New research from Lenstore has revealed the grisly long term consequences of drinking too much caffeine by visualising coffe drinker Steve, a representative of what we could see in the mirror in 50 years time if we don’t cut back on our caffeine intake…

What drinking too much coffee can do to our bodies

Lenstore’s research revealed that almost half (49%) of Brits can’t start their day without drinking a cup of tea or coffee, with the average person drinking 2.71 cups of coffee a day on average. Shockingly, one in five (19%) will go on to drink five or more cups of coffee a day in order to keep themselves feeling awake.

Whilst drinking a few cups a day isn’t considered dangerous, consuming more than the recommended 400 milligrams (mg) a day, which is roughly four cups of coffee, could eventually see you feeling a bit like Steve:

Anxiety and stress

Caffeine triggers the release of adrenaline, which can lead to increased energy levels, however drinking too much can result in us feeling nervous, anxious and jittery. Almost one in five of us (18%) admit that caffeine gives us anxiety, and increased doses can also cause heightened stress levels.

Irritability, anger, and confusion

Increased adrenaline levels can also make you feel confused, potentially even causing you to experience hallucinations. On top of this, caffeine can lead to lots of other negative emotions including irritability and anger, especially when you’ve drunk too much or are trying to withdraw from it.

Muscle tremors

Since caffeine is a stimulant, meaning it causes increased levels of activity in your brain and nervous system, drinking too much can lead to muscle tremors, for example, eye twitches or trembling hands. If you’re experiencing these involuntary movements, you might want to reconsider the amount of daily caffeine you’re consuming.

Insomnia

With a third (33%) of us admitting that caffeine makes it difficult to fall asleep at night, and research showing it can stay in our systems for up to nine hours, drinking too much close to bedtime can lead to insomnia. Symptoms of this include dry eyes, irritability, and difficulty paying attention.

High blood pressure

High amounts of caffeine can raise your blood pressure, according to several studies, whilst Lenstore’s research also revealed that more than a quarter of us (26%) say that caffeine increases our heart rate. Symptoms of high blood pressure include facial flushing, an irregular heartbeat, severe headaches and vision problems and can also lead to a greater risk of a heart attack or stroke.

Bleeding in the eye and sight issues

High blood pressure can also damage the blood vessels in your eyes, leading to eye issues such as retinopathy (damaged retina causing blurred vision, bleeding in the eye and even complete sight loss). You could also experience nerve damage to the eye, which can lead to further sight issues, as well as a Choroidopathy (fluid build up under the retina).

Drinking too much caffeine can also increase the risk of glaucoma, symptoms of which include red eye, eye pain, seeing rings around lights, blurred vision and blindness if left untreated.

Sujata Paul, Professional Services Clinical Lead at Lenstore and Contact Lens Optician FBDO/CL says: “Whilst drinking a couple of coffees a day is unlikely to have an impact on our mental and physical wellbeing, a high caffeine intake can lead to serious long term consequences that can be detrimental to our health.

“Consuming too much caffeine can have incredibly serious effects on our eye health such as nerve damage and fluid build up, caused by increased blood pressure, as well as glaucoma, which can lead to permanent sight loss. If you’re experiencing bleeding of the eye, it’s important to consult a medical professional to rule out any serious issues.”