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Facts About the Decaf Coffee

Introduction.

Coffee is one of the most popular beverages in the world.

Many people enjoy drinking coffee, but want to cut down their caffeine from it because of the health and dietary preferences they have, for them. Decaf is one of the best options for them, as Decaf has 97% less caffeine their regular coffee and has the same nutritional values.


Here are Facts About the Decaf Coffee

two cup of decaf coffee


What is decaf coffee, and how is it made

Decaf is a short form for decaffeinated coffee. It is the coffee from the coffee beans in which 97% of the caffeine has been eliminated.

There are many ways to remove caffeine from coffee beans. Mostly using water, organic solvents, and carbon dioxide.

Coffee beans are washed by solvent, till caffeine is extracted from it. Then the solvent is removed from it.

Caffeine can also be removed by using carbon dioxide and charcoal filters. And this process is known as the Swiss water process.

The beans are caffeinated before getting roasted and ground. The nutritional content in decaf coffee is the same as normal coffee except for the caffeine percentage.

However, the taste and smell may be a little bit different the normal coffee.


How much caffeine is in decaf coffee

Decaf is not completely caffeine free. But yes, the % is very much less the regular coffee.

Decaf has varying amounts of caffeine, likely 3 mg per cup.

Every 6-ounce of decaf cup of coffee contains 0-7mg of caffeine in it.


On the other hand regular cup of coffee contain 70-140 mg in them.


Decaf coffee is loaded with antioxidants and nutrients

It’s actually the single biggest source of antioxidants in the Western diet.

Decaf usually contains similar amounts of antioxidants as regular coffee, although they may be up to 15% lower.

This difference is most likely caused by a small loss of antioxidants during the decaffeination process.

The main antioxidants in regular and decaf coffee are hydrocinnamic acids and polyphenols.

Antioxidants are very effective at neutralizing reactive compounds called free radicals.

This reduces oxidative damage and may help prevent diseases like heart disease, cancer, and type 2 diabetes.

In addition to the antioxidants, decaf also contains minor amounts of nutrients.

One cup of brewed decaf coffee provides 2.4% of the recommended daily intake of magnesium, 4.8% of potassium, and 2.5% of niacin, or vitamin B3.

This may not seem like a lot of nutrients, but the amounts add up quickly if you drink 2–3 (or more) cups of coffee per day.

SUMMARY:Decaf coffee contains similar amounts of antioxidants as regular coffee.

picture of coffee beans


Health benefits of decaf coffee

Despite having been demonized in the past, the truth is, coffee is mostly good for you.

It’s linked with numerous health benefits, which are mainly attributed to its antioxidant content and other active substances.

However, the specific health effects of decaf coffee can be hard to determine.

This is because most studies assess coffee intake without distinguishing between regular and decaf coffee, and some don’t even include decaf coffee.

Also, most of these studies are observational. They cannot prove that coffee caused the benefits, only that drinking coffee is associated with them.

Type 2 diabetes, liver function, and preventing premature death

Drinking coffee, both regular and decaf, has been linked with reduced risk of type 2 diabetes. Each daily cup may reduce the risk by up to 7%.

This suggests that elements other than caffeine may be responsible for these protective effects.

The effects of decaf coffee on liver function are not as well studied as those of regular coffee. However, one large observational study linked decaf coffee with reduced liver enzyme levels, which suggests a protective effect.

Drinking decaf coffee has also been linked with a small but significant reduction in the risk of premature death, as well as death from stroke or heart disease.

SUMMARY:


Aging and neurodegenerative disease

Both regular and decaf coffee seems to have positive effects on age-related mental decline.

Human cell studies also show that decaf coffee may protect neurons in the brain. This could help prevent the development of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.

One study suggests that this may be due to the chlorogenic acid in coffee, rather than caffeine. However, caffeine itself has also been linked to a reduced risk of dementia and neurodegenerative diseases.

Many studies show that people who drink regular coffee have a lower risk of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, but more studies are needed on decaf specifically.

Reduce the symptoms of heartburn and reduce the risk of rectal cancer

One common side effect of drinking coffee is heartburn or acid reflux.

Many people experience this condition, and drinking decaf coffee may relieve this uncomfortable side effect. Decaf coffee has been shown to cause significantly less acid reflux than regular coffee.

Drinking two or more cups of decaf coffee per day has also been linked with up to a 48% lower risk of developing rectal cancer.


Regular coffee has a lot of benefits than decaf coffee

Coffee is probably best known for its stimulant effects.

It increases alertness and reduces feelings of tiredness.

These effects are directly linked to the stimulant caffeine, which is found naturally in coffee.

Some of the beneficial effects of regular coffee are directly attributed to caffeine, so decaf should not have these effects.

Here are some benefits that probably only apply to regular coffee, not decaf:

  • improved mood, reaction time, memory, and mental function.

  • increased metabolic rate and fat burning.

  • enhanced athletic performance.

  • reduced risk of mild depression and suicidal thoughts in women.

  • much lower risk of liver cirrhosis or end-stage liver damage.

However, it’s worth mentioning again that the research on regular coffee is way more extensive than what’s available for decaf.

SUMMARY:Regular coffee provides many health benefits that do not apply to decaf. These include improved mental health, increased metabolic rate, enhanced athletic performance, and a lower risk of liver damage.

If you want to read the benefits of an anti-inflammatory diet link is below

Tips for making decaf coffee

Decaf coffee is a suitable option if you want to give up caffeine but enjoy the taste and social enjoyment of caffeine.


When buying decaf coffee, keep in mind that options are available in different roasts, like regular coffee. Decaf coffee roasts include.


  • Light: Light roast decaf coffee has a light brown color and a mild taste. Generally, light roasts have more caffeine than other roasts. You may want to avoid light roasts to avoid caffeine as much as possible.

  • Medium: Medium roast decaf coffee has a medium brown color and a mild taste. You may prefer medium roasts if you enjoy the taste of caffeine.

  • Medium-dark: Medium-dark roast decaf coffee is slightly darker than medium roasts. Medium-dark roasts often have a somewhat bitter aftertaste.

  • Dark: Dark roast decaf coffee has the most bitter taste of the different roasts. Dark roasts are less acidic than other roasts.


You can gradually wean or go cold turkey if you consider ditching caffeine. The former is the best option to avoid caffeine withdrawal symptoms, which may include fatigue, headaches, and irritability. In contrast, the latter approach may leave you feeling downright miserable. Side effects should subside within about one week.

This is one Fact About the Decaf Coffee


Risk of decaf coffee

Decaf coffee is not entirely caffeine-free, but most brands remove at least 97% of caffeine. Eight-ounce decaf coffee may contain two milligrams of caffeine, compared to about 95 milligrams in a regular brew.


Caffeine allergies are rare but can lead to anaphylaxis. Symptoms of an allergic reaction to caffeine may include.



  • Itchy throat

  • Difficulty breathing

  • Hives

  • Swelling


Consult a healthcare provider right away if you develop an adverse reaction after consuming decaf coffee.










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