Experts reveal what you’ll look like in a few years if you drink too much coffee – and it might make you drop the habit
Coffee lovers beware – here's what you'll look like if you don't give up caffeine
If you love caffeinated beverages, it might be time to look away now.
Disturbing before and after photos have been shared to show just how much the natural stimulant affects the skin and it's enough to make anyone give up their daily coffee fix for good.
The constructed images show a man named 'Steve,' who is around 40 years old, and what he will look like if he keeps drinking caffeine at a high rate.
In the before photo, he is smiling with bright, clear skin.
In the after photo, however, Steve's face has transformed with his skin dull and grey, one of his eyes suffering from glaucoma, blurred vision, and dark patches underneath both eyes.
Aside from the physical effects, he's also a nightmare to be around – constantly feeling irritable and suffering from hallucinations.
Okay, so Steve isn't real but the side effects are very real possibilities for people who consume a lot of caffeinated beverages such as coffee, tea, soft and energy drinks, and other popular items.
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The images were created by Lenstore, a company that specializes in eye health, alongside a study of how the stimulant affects human bodies, with one in five people drinking five or more cups of coffee every day.
The research revealed that one in five (18 percent) people admit that caffeine gives them anxiety, and increased doses can cause heightened stress levels.
Caffeine triggers the release of adrenaline, which can cause increased energy levels. However, drinking too much can result in us feeling nervous, anxious, and jittery.
Meanwhile, a third of participants said caffeine makes it harder for them to fall asleep at night, with research showing that it can stay in the body's system for up to nine hours and can contribute or lead to insomnia.
Symptoms include dry eyes, irritability, and difficulty paying attention.
On the physical side, 26 percent of study participants said caffeine increased their heart rate.
It can cause high blood pressure, which can lead to facial flushing, an irregular heartbeat, severe headaches, and vision problems.
People who consume a lot of caffeine are at a higher risk of heart attack or stroke.
High blood pressure can damage the blood vessels in your eyes, causing 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 choroidopathy (fluid build-up under the retina).
Like Steve, you're at a higher risk of glaucoma, which could cause blindness if left untreated.
Additionally, the research revealed 49 percent of Brits don't feel able to start their day without a cup of caffeine.
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On average, the study found people drink three cups of coffee, three cups of tea, one energy drink, and two caffeine-based drinks such as soft drinks every day – which is well over the recommended amount.
For reference, the Mayo Clinic says up to 400 milligrams (mg) of caffeine a day "appears to be safe for most healthy adults.";
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