Coffee is an energy-boosting beverage that helps you refresh yourself. Eight ounces of decaf coffee will contain around 80 to 100 mg of caffeine.
According to FDA, adults can consume about 400 mg of caffeine. Caffeine is a stimulant that improves your focus. Although caffeine has many benefits, excessive consumption may trigger some adverse side effects.
Further, caffeinated beverages like regular coffee are not suitable for caffeine-intolerant people. Therefore, people intend to consume decaf coffee, as decaffeination removes around 97% of the caffeine.
Many people ask whether decaf coffee is healthy, so let’s discuss this beverage, including its health benefits and side effects.
Decaf coffee is often considered a healthy beverage. It has almost all the nutrients and antioxidants found in regular coffee. Decaf coffee will not cause a significant stimulant effect compared to traditional coffee, as it contains only 3 mg of caffeine per cup.
What Is Decaf Coffee?
Decaf coffee is produced from 100 percent Arabica coffee beans. First, these coffee beans are decaffeinated to remove caffeine. Then they are dried and roasted. Finally, the decaffeinated coffee beans are ground into a fine powder to prepare decaf coffee.
Although caffeine is removed, decaf coffee remains a caffeinated beverage due to the small amount of caffeine in it. Hence, decaffeination will not remove 100% of the caffeine, but around 97% of it.
Using decaffeinated coffee beans, you can make different varieties of coffee like espresso, Americano, cappuccino, latte, etc.
Decaffeination Methods
Following are the four different methods by which you can decaffeinate coffee beans.
Water Process Decaffeination
The water process is a natural way of removing caffeine from coffee beans. This is the most reliable and safe method, removing around 99% of caffeine.
In the water process of decaffeination, the coffee beans are soaked in water for several hours.
Once the coffee beans are well-soaked, you can filter the extract using a carbon filter. This filter will attract caffeine.
CO2 Decaffeination
When using supercritical CO2 decaffeination, the green coffee beans are soaked well in water and transferred to a stainless steel container.
These coffee beans are exposed to supercritical CO2 for ten to twelve hours.
During the process, CO2 will attract caffeine and leave the vessel. The setup contains activated charcoal, which will release caffeine and funnel back the CO2.
Ethyl Acetate Decaffeination (Direct Solvent Process)
The coffee beans are soaked well in water and repeatedly exposed to ethylene acetate. This chemical solvent will remove caffeine.
Once the coffee beans are decaffeinated, the beans are steamed to remove any remaining solvent.
Methylene Chloride Decaffeination (In-direct Solvent Process)
Initially, the coffee beans are soaked in boiling water, which will remove the caffeine and other water-soluble contents, including flavor.
Then the coffee bean is separated from the extract, and methylene chloride is added to the liquid.
By heating this extract, caffeine will get evaporated. After removing caffeine, coffee beans are soaked in the extract again to regain the flavor.
Note: Although there are different decaffeination methods, the best way is to use the Swiss water process. It is a natural way of removing caffeine while retaining the flavor and antioxidants in the coffee beans.
Health Benefits Of Consuming Decaf Coffee
Caffeine is a stimulant present in coffee that has some benefits. Excessive caffeine consumption can trigger side effects like insomnia, headaches, nausea, chest pain, nervousness, etc.
Also, caffeinated beverages are not suitable for caffeine-intolerant people. In such a case, you don’t have to worry about skipping your daily cup of joe.
Instead, you can switch to decaf coffee. This decaffeinated beverage is considered healthy due to its various health benefits. Following are a few excellent health benefits of drinking decaf coffee.
Reduces The Risk Of Developing Type II Diabetes
Type II diabetes is the cause of high blood sugar levels. This is a common long-term medical condition. Consumption of decaf coffee reduces the risk of type II diabetes.
Improve Sleep
Many people ask whether they can drink decaf coffee before bed. Actually, caffeine is the stimulant that keeps you awake at night and increases alertness.
Since decaf coffee has very little caffeine, your sleep routine will remain the same.
Moderate consumption of this decaffeinated beverage will improve sleep.
Beneficial For Digestive Issues
Someone having digestive problems should avoid consuming caffeine and sugar.
In such a situation, you can drink decaf coffee. The low caffeine content will not cause pains, cramps, or other digestive issues.
The Best Option For Caffeine Intolerance
Caffeine-intolerant people must avoid consuming regular coffee, as it is rich in caffeine. Skipping your daily cup of joe will take much work, so you can gradually switch to decaf.
Decaffeinated beverages are safe for caffeine-sensitive people.
Contain Most Antioxidants Present In Regular Coffee
The Swiss water process of decaffeination mainly retains most of the antioxidants in coffee beans.
Therefore, you will get similar nutritional benefits to regular coffee by drinking decaf coffee. Anyway, caffeine extraction slightly lowers the antioxidant content in decaf coffee.
Side Effects Of Drinking Decaf Coffee
On the flip side, besides the benefits of drinking decaf coffee, there are also some side effects. Most of these side effects are triggered by excessive consumption of decaf coffee.
Bad cholesterol may increase due to decaffeinated coffee. The decaffeination method used to remove the caffeine may increase the risk of rheumatoid arthritis. Further, this beverage may also interfere with iron absorption.
Therefore, to prevent such side effects, it is better to drink decaf coffee in moderation.
Bottom Line
Decaf coffee is made by extracting caffeine from regular coffee beans. Caffeine extraction is done safely to retain the flavor and nutrients.
Hence, decaf coffee provides many health benefits, which makes the beverage a healthy option. Decaffeinated coffee is highly recommended for caffeine-intolerant people.
However, according to the decaffeination method, the nutritional values will change. It is best to purchase Swiss water process decaffeinated coffee.
This natural method of caffeine extraction will help retain the flavor and nutrients of the beverage.
FAQs
Does Decaf Coffee Contain Caffeine?
Yes, decaf coffee will have approximately 2 to 3 mg of caffeine per 8-ounce cup.
The caffeine content may vary according to the decaffeination process.
Does Decaffeination Remove NutrientsFrom Coffee Beans?
Yes, along with the caffeine extraction, a small amount of nutrient present in regular coffee beans will be lost.
Anyway, the natural decaffeination method will retain most nutrients.
Does Decaf Coffee Contain Low Calories?
Yes, decaffeinated coffee contains fewer calories compared to regular coffee, which helps maintain a healthy weight.
