What?! Instant Coffee Could Mess With Your Eyesight? Let’s Talk About It.
I almost spit out my morning brew when I saw the headline:
“Instant coffee consumption can rob you of your eyesight.”
Um… excuse me, what?
Now before you panic and toss your office breakroom stash in the trash, let’s take a deep breath. The study (from the Times of India) found a potential link between high instant coffee consumption and a higher risk of glaucoma, a serious eye condition that can lead to vision loss.
Does this mean one cup of instant coffee will make you go blind? No. But it does raise an important question we don't ask often enough:
What’s really in our cup, and what’s it doing to our body?
Let’s Talk About What Instant Coffee Really Is
First, a quick backstory for those who aren’t familiar.
Instant coffee is made by brewing large batches of coffee at high temperatures, then spray-drying or freeze-drying the liquid into powder or crystals. Sounds efficient, right?
Sure. But here’s the thing: it often uses low-grade Robusta beans, processed in bulk, with little regard for quality or long-term health impact. Add in possible residues, chemicals from packaging, and long shelf life, and it’s no wonder researchers are starting to ask questions.
When the study linked instant coffee to higher glaucoma risk, it wasn’t just about caffeine, it was also about oxidative stress, blood pressure impact, and the overall quality of what you're drinking.
I Used to Drink Instant Coffee Too, Until I Didn’t
Before I started Win Win Coffee, I had no idea there was a difference. Coffee was coffee. I’d grab whatever was cheapest, scoop it into a mug, add hot water, and call it a day.
But once I started working with small-batch farmers, people who literally hand-pick cherries at peak ripeness, who care for their soil like family, I couldn’t unsee it.
Coffee isn’t just a morning fix. It’s an agricultural product, a craft, a culture, and yes, something that interacts deeply with our health.
And I’ve never looked back.
So Why Is Specialty Coffee Better for You?
Here’s where it gets exciting and empowering.
When you switch from instant to specialty coffee (the kind we roast at Win Win Coffee), you’re not just choosing a better taste experience. You’re choosing a cleaner, more natural, more beneficial brew.
Here’s why:
No mystery blends. Specialty coffee is traceable. We know where it came from, who grew it, and how it was processed.
Fewer contaminants. Our beans are roasted fresh, free from industrial additives or mass-market shortcuts.
Balanced caffeine. Most specialty Arabica beans have a smoother caffeine profile than Robusta-heavy instant blends, meaning less jitter, less crash, and potentially less impact on things like eye pressure and blood pressure.
Higher antioxidants. Properly roasted beans (not overprocessed) retain natural compounds that help reduce inflammation and support heart and brain health.
It’s coffee you can actually feel good about, literally and figuratively.
Customers Say It Best
One of our regulars, Daniel from Portland, told us:
“I switched to your beans after my doctor asked me to cut back on caffeine. I didn’t want to give up coffee entirely, so I tried your single-origin medium roast. Not only is it easier on my system, but my afternoon headaches are gone. Plus, my wife now insists we brew together every morning, it’s our new ritual.”
That’s what it’s about. Not fear. Not guilt. Just better choices, shared moments, and feeling good about what’s in your cup.
Tips If You’re Ready to Break Up With Instant Coffee
Thinking about making the switch? Here’s how to start:
Start small. You don’t need a fancy setup. A simple French press or pour-over is affordable and easy to use.
Choose lighter roasts. If you're used to the intensity of instant coffee, try a light or medium roast to ease into the smoother, nuanced flavors.
Make it a ritual. Turn coffee brewing into a moment of calm, not chaos. Put on music. Breathe. Sip slowly.
Trust me, once you start drinking coffee that actually tastes like coffee, not just bitterness and caffeine, you’ll wonder why you ever settled.
Final Sip
No shame if you’ve been riding the instant coffee train. We’ve all been there. But the research is clear: what you drink matters, not just for taste, but for your well-being.
So if you’re ready to treat your body, and your mornings, with more care, give specialty a shot. At Win Win Coffee, we’re here to help you brew better, feel better, and be part of a community that values people as much as it does flavor.
Because your coffee should be as full of life as you are.
