Experts have revealed how a person might look after consuming large amounts of coffee and caffeine drinks over a long period. Shocking images were shared showing the appearance of an individual before and after long-term coffee consumption, highlighting the impact of the natural stimulant on the skin.
The composite images feature a man named "Steve," who is approximately 40 years old, illustrating how he might look if he continued to consume caffeine at a high rate. In the first image, Steve is smiling with bright, clear skin. However, in the next picture, Steve's face has changed; his skin appears dull and gray, one of his eyes shows signs of glaucoma and blurred vision, with dark circles under both eyes.
Aside from the physical effects, Steve experiences constant nervousness and hallucinations. It is important to note that Steve is not a real person, but the side effects depicted are very real possibilities for individuals who consume excessive amounts of caffeine from sources such as coffee, tea, soda, energy drinks, and other common beverages.
The images were created by Lenstore, a company specializing in eye health, alongside a study on how stimulants affect the human body, revealing that one in five people drinks five or more cups of coffee daily. The research found that one in five (18 percent) individuals admits that caffeine causes them anxiety, and increased doses can lead to high stress levels.
Caffeine triggers adrenaline release, which can elevate energy levels. However, overconsumption can lead to feelings of anxiety and nervousness. Meanwhile, one-third of participants stated that caffeine makes it difficult for them to sleep at night, as studies show it can remain in the body for up to nine hours and may contribute to or cause insomnia. Other symptoms include dry eyes, irritation, and difficulty concentrating.
Physically, 26 percent of study participants said caffeine increases heart rate and can cause high blood pressure, leading to facial flushing, arrhythmias, severe headaches, and vision problems. People who consume large amounts of caffeine are more likely to experience heart attacks or strokes. High blood pressure can damage blood vessels in the eyes, resulting in issues like retinopathy (damage to the retina leading to blurred vision and eye bleeding, potentially causing complete vision loss). There might also be damage to the optic nerves, leading to further vision problems, and choroidal issues (fluid accumulation under the retina). Like Steve, individuals are more susceptible to glaucoma, which can lead to blindness if left untreated, according to The Sun newspaper.
