What is Decaf Coffee?
Before getting into the pros and cons of decaf coffee, we will discuss what is decaf coffee. Decaf coffee is coffee that has had the caffeine removed through a process of water or chemical solvent. This process removes 97-99% of the caffeine in the green seed (coffee beans). Different types of chemicals used in decaf roasting may include activated charcoal, methylene chloride, and ethyl acetate.
Caffeine is naturally occurring in the coffee plant and is a bitter alkaloid stimulant that acts as a psychoactive drug. Green seeds contain caffeine but it becomes significantly less after roasting when the beans turn brown. Decaf coffee has around <1% of the caffeine content of regular coffee, making it much easier to drink and giving us the feel-good sensation without having to worry about the scary side effects.
How much Caffeine is in Decaf Coffee?
Decaf coffee contains <1% of the caffeine content of regular coffee. According to this article, “By U.S. law, decaf must have 97 percent less caffeine than normal coffee.”
Coffee is also known for containing antioxidants which are compounds that can protect our body from damage by free radicals and help prevent chronic diseases such as coronary heart disease, stroke, certain types of cancer, and diabetes. However, decaf coffee does not have the same benefits because it lacks caffeine.
When Do People Drink Decaf Coffee?
Decaf coffee is usually drunk at night after dinner or in place of regular black coffee without milk or sugar to help you fall asleep easily. Research has shown that caffeine in coffee is associated with sleep disturbances so drinking decaf after dinner will not be as stressful on your body. Decaf coffee can also be drunk with clients when you go to meetings, but it’s important to remember that the caffeine in regular coffee helps us to feel more alert and attentive during meetings.
So What’s the Catch? Is Decaf Coffee Good for You or Not?
Decaf coffee has many pros because it lacks caffeine and does not have negative effects. However, decaf coffee is known to be high in certain chemicals that are used in the process of removing caffeine from the green seed. The pesticides used on the seeds may also be harmful. As well, decaf coffee does not contain antioxidants which are healthy compounds that protect our body from damage by free radicals. It also may be slightly acidic but it can be made less so through the process of Swiss water washing.
Therefore, decaf coffee is not as good for us as regular black coffee without milk or sugar. The chemicals used to process decaf coffee may be harmful and we don’t get the same boost from drinking it as we do from regular coffee. However, if you’re driving at night, definitely opt for a decaf latte!
The Pros and Cons of Decaf Coffee
Pros
1) Decaf coffee does not contain caffeine, which has negative side effects such as nausea and jitters.
2) Decaf coffee lacks caffeinelike chemicals found in regular coffee such as cafestol and kahweol, which may contribute to many diseases.
3) Decaf coffee is low in acidity.
4) Decaf coffee does not have the same side effects as regular coffee.
5) Decaf coffee is high in anti-inflammatory compounds.
Cons
1) Decaf coffee has chemicals used in the process of removing caffeine from green seeds which can be harmful.
2) Decaf coffee lacks antioxidants that protect our body from damage by free radicals.
3) Pesticides used to process decaf coffee may be harmful.
4) Decaf coffee is slightly acidic and can be made less so through the process of Swiss water washing.
5) When buying a latte, it’s important to remember that decaf has less caffeine than regular coffee.
6) Decaf coffee may be high in certain chemicals that are used for decaffeination, such as methylene chloride and ethyl acetate. These chemicals may cause cancer.
7) Decaf coffee has <1% of the caffeine content of regular coffee and does not give us the same boost in alertness and attentiveness that we get from drinking it.
8) If you’re drinking decaf with clients, you won’t get the same boost in alertness and attentiveness that you would from regular coffee.
Regular Coffee VS Decaf Coffee!
Regular coffee has caffeine which gives us a boost when it comes to concentration, attentiveness, alertness, performance during activities, etc. It also contains antioxidants that protect our body from damage by free radicals. However, regular coffee has many negative side effects such as nausea, restlessness, jitteriness, increased blood pressure, and heart rate. These effects can be dangerous in certain situations such as when driving a car at night or going for a meeting with clients.
Decaf coffee lacks caffeine but it does not have the same side effects as regular caffeinated coffee. It is also free of chemicals used to process it, has low acidity and is made with less pesticides than regular coffee. However, decaf coffee lacks caffeine which gives us a boost in concentration, attentiveness, alertness, performance during activities etc. Decaf coffee may be high in certain chemicals that are used for decaffeination such as methylene chloride and ethyl acetate. These chemicals may cause cancer in high doses, especially when combined with food or other drinks.
Conclusion:
So, there are pros and cons of decaf coffee at the same time. However, decaf coffee is known to be high in certain chemicals that are used in the process of removing caffeine from the green seed. The pesticides used on the seeds may also be harmful. As well, decaf coffee does not contain antioxidants which are healthy compounds that protect our body from damage by free radicals. Decaf coffee also lacks the boost of caffeine, which can be enjoyed in regular black coffee without milk or sugar.
Therefore, decaf coffee is not as good for us as regular black coffee without milk or sugar. The chemicals used to process decaf coffee may be harmful and we don’t get all of the benefits of regular coffee, such as antioxidants and a caffeine boost. However, decaf coffee does not have negative side effects and it may be low in acidity. Decaf coffee also lacks the caffeinelike chemicals found in regular coffee such as cafestol and kahweol which can contribute to heart disease.
Hi my name is Larry, a coffee aficionado from the US. I have already visited Colombia, Sumatra, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Ethiopia and Jamaica in my pursuit of finding the best-tasting coffee beans. I currently write from Bali and enjoy the relaxed life that you can only find in Canggu. Welcome to my coffee world!
