“Decaf” coffee tastes similar to regular coffee but has very little caffeine. There is no evidence that decaf is bad for you, and it may even have some of the same health benefits as regular coffee.
We investigate the impacts of decaf coffee and regular coffee on a person’s health, and how much difference there is between the two. We also cover how much caffeine is in decaf coffee and the potential health benefits of decaf. We also cover how much caffeine is in decaf coffee and the potential health benefits of decaf.
2017 systematic review
To remove the caffeine, manufacturers soak or steam unroasted coffee beans using a combination of water and other chemicals, such as:
- activated charcoal
- supercritical carbon dioxide
- methylene chloride
- ethyl acetate
Manufacturers use water because caffeine is a water-soluble substance. However, if water is used by itself, it may remove other compounds, such as proteins and sugar, from the coffee beans.
Chemicals can be used to speed up the decaffeination process which would help to preserve the flavour of the coffee.
One study in 2018 suggested that the decaffeination process may work more quickly with roasted coffee beans.
In 2017, one study reviewed 201 meta-analyses of observational research on coffee consumption. The authors of the study found that there were no negative health effects associated with drinking decaf coffee.
The use of methylene chloride to decaffeinate coffee beans has raised some concerns among coffee growers and consumers.
Methylene chloride can slows down the central nervous system and affect a person’s attention and hand-eye coordination, even if inhaled in small amounts of around 200 parts per million (ppm) in the air. Mild exposure can also lead to symptoms such as:
- headache
- drowsiness
- lightheadedness
- irritability
- coughing or wheezing
As long as the final product of caffeine extraction contains no more than 10 ppm, or 0.001% of residual methylene chloride, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have approved the use of methylene chloride.
While decaf coffee does not have as much caffeine as regular coffee, it still contains some caffeine.
The average decaf coffee contains about 2 milligrams of caffeine per 8 ounce cup, according to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Some decaf coffees may contain up to 15 mg of caffeine per 8 oz cup.
Decaf coffee still contains some caffeine, but much less than regular coffee. According to the FDA, an 8 oz cup of regular coffee typically contains between 80 and 100 mg of caffeine.
Although decaf coffee has less caffeine than green or black tea, it still contains a small amount. A regular 8 oz cup of green or black tea must contain about 30–50 mg of caffeine.
Each cup of decaf coffee contains about 0–7 mg of caffeine. This is significantly less than the amount of caffeine found in regular coffee.
Coffee isn’t bad for you, despite what you may have heard. The largest source of antioxidants in the Western diet is a single food item. Decaf coffee usually has similar levels of antioxidants as regular coffee, although they may be up to 15% lower.
The difference is most likely caused by a small loss of antioxidants during the decaffeination process. There are two main types of antioxidants found in coffee – hydrocinnamic acids and polyphenols. Neutralizing reactive compounds called free radicals is very effective with antioxidants.
Oxidative damage can lead to a variety of diseases, so by reducing it, it may help prevent diseases such as heart disease, cancer, and type 2 diabetes. Decaf coffee also contains small amounts of certain nutrients.
One cup of brewed decaf coffee provides a small amount of magnesium, potassium, and niacin.
If you drink 2-3 (or more) cups of coffee a day, the nutrient amounts will add up quickly.
antioxidents found in both regular and decaf coffees. These include mainly chlorogenic acid and other polyphenols. Decaf coffee also contains small amounts of several nutrients.
Health benefits of decaf coffee
Recent scientific research suggests that coffee may have several benefits for human health.
For example, a large 2017 review suggests that drinking coffee can lower a person’s risk of developing certain cancers, including:
- prostate cancer
- skin cancer
- liver cancer
- leukemia
- endometrial cancer
- oral cancer
Although many studies have been done on the health benefits of coffee, there are not many studies on thespecific benefits of decaf coffee. The jury is still out on whether decaf coffee has the same health benefits as regular coffee.
The authors of the 2017 review found that there is a reduced risk of all-cause mortality and death from cardiovascular causes when drinking decaf. People who drank two to four cups of coffee per day had the greatest risk reduction.
The main benefit of drinking decaf coffee is that it contains less caffeine than regular coffee.
The FDA recommends that adults consume 400 mg or less of caffeine per day, the equivalent of four or five cups of regular coffee.
Consuming too much caffeine can cause unpleasant side effects in some people, including:
- sleeping problems
- headache
- nausea
- jitteriness
- increased heart rate
- stomach upset
- anxiousness
- dysphoria, or a feeling of unhappiness
If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or trying to become pregnant, you should speak to your doctor about safe caffeine levels.
Doctors may also tell people with specific medical problems to cut back on how much caffeine they drink. This may include people with:
- sleeping difficulties
- anxiety or stress
- cardiovascular conditions
- bladder problems
- digestive issues, such as stomach ulcers or acid reflux
Certain medications can interact with caffeine, so it is recommended to limit or avoid caffeine while taking these drugs.
1. Coffee and diabetes
Coffee may help protect against type 2 diabetes.
In 2014, researchers found that those who increased their coffee consumption by at least one cup per day over 4 years had an 11% lower risk of type 2 diabetes.
A meta-analysis from 2017 found that people who drank 4-6 cups of either caffeinated or decaffeinated coffee each day were less likely to develop metabolic syndrome, which can lead to type 2 diabetes.
2. Coffee and Parkinson’s disease
There have been several studies that suggest that caffeine, which is found in coffee and many other drinks, may help prevent Parkinson’s disease. A team found that men who drink more than four cups of coffee a day might have a five times lower risk of developing Parkinson’s disease.
The findings of the 2017 meta-analysis suggested that coffee consumption is linked to a lower risk of Parkinson’s disease, even among people who smoke. This team discovered that coffee drinkers may be less likely to experience depression and cognitive conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease.
The study found that there was not enough evidence to support the claim that decaffeinated coffee prevents Parkinson’s disease.
3. Type 2 diabetes, liver function, and premature death
Reducing your risk of type 2 diabetes may be as easy as enjoying a cup of coffee. Both regular and decaf varieties have been linked with lowered risk of the disease. Drinking coffee every day may help reduce your risk of death by up to 7%. This suggests that there may be other protective elements besides caffeine.
Although there is less research on the effects of decaf coffee on the liver, what is available suggests that it is not as harmful as regular coffee. An observational study found that decaf coffee was linked to reduced liver enzyme levels, which suggests that it has a protective effect.
A small but significant reduction in the risk of premature death has been linked with drinking decaf coffee, as well as death from stroke or heart disease.
Decaf coffee may help lower the chance of getting type 2 diabetes. It may also reduce the risk of premature death.
4. Aging and neurodegenerative diseases
Both regular and decaf coffee can help improve mental function in older adults.
Decaf coffee may help protect brain cells, according to studies on human cells. This could help in the prevention of neurodegenerative diseases, for example Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
One study suggests that this may be due to the chlorogenic acid in coffee, rather than just the caffeine. link between reduced risk of dementia and neurodegenerative diseases. Although it is unclear how this happens, there is evidence to suggest that caffeine could be protective.
Although many studies have shown that people who drink regular coffee have a lower risk of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, more studies are needed to determine the effects of decaf coffee.
Decaf coffee may protect against age-related mental decline. Regular exercise has been found to be helpful in reducing the risk of developing Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.
5. Reduced symptoms of heartburn and reduced risk of rectal Cancer
One common side effect of drinking coffee is an upset stomach or indigestion. Many people experience this condition, and drinking decaf coffee may help to relieve the uncomfortable side effect. Research has shown that decaf coffee causes less acid reflux than regular coffee.
Research has shown that there is a link between drinking two or more cups of decaf coffee per day and a lower risk of developing rectal cancer.
Regular coffee causes more acid reflux than decaf coffee. More than two cups of coffee a day may help reduce the risk of developing rectal cancer.
Coffee is probably best known for its stimulant effects. It increases alertness and reduces feelings of tiredness. The effects in the text are caused by caffeine, which is found in coffee.
The beneficial effects of coffee are largely due to the caffeine content, so decaffeinated coffee would not provide these benefits.
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.
Despite this, it is noteworthy that the research on coffee is much more significant than what is available for decaf.
Although decaf coffee still contains some traces of caffeine, it doesn’t provide the same health benefits as regular coffee. There are many benefits to working out, such as better mental health, a faster metabolism, improved athletic performance, and less risk of liver damage.
Different people have different levels of tolerance for caffeine. Different people have different reactions to caffeine. Some people feel jittery after just one cup of coffee, while others can drink several cups without any problems.
Healthy adults should limit themselves to 400 mg of caffeine per day to avoid negative side effects. This is approximately the same as four cups of coffee. The more you consume, the higher your blood pressure and the less you sleep, which raises your risk of heart disease and stroke.
Caffeine may cause problems for sensitive individuals including overwhelming the central nervous system, causing restlessness, anxiety, digestive problems, heart arrhythmia, or trouble sleeping.
If you are sensitive to caffeine you might want to drink decaf coffee or tea.
If you have certain medical conditions, you may need to avoid caffeine. Caffeine can interact with certain prescription medications.
Pregnant and breastfeeding women are advised to limit their intake of caffeine. If you are a child, adolescent, or have anxiety or trouble sleeping, it is advised that you also do yoga.
Coffee that has had the caffeine removed contains very little caffeine and is typically similar in taste and appearance to regular coffee.
Some people have expressed concerns that decaf coffee may contain small amounts of methylene chloride, which is a solvent that manufacturers use during the decaffeination process. If you are exposed to this chemical for a long time, it can cause some unwanted side effects.
The FDA considers the concentration of methylene chloride in decaf coffee to be under 10 ppm and does not pose a risk to health.
The research also suggests that there are no harmful effects from drinking decaf coffee and there may actually be some benefits to health from doing so.