05th December 2022
Drinking coffee is a central part of most people’s day. Whether you’re commuting to work, at the gym or preparing for that important exam, a cup of coffee is in your hand. After all, coffee is one of the most popular drinks in the world and there are a variety of different types of coffee to choose from.
Whilst many people enjoy these caffeinated drinks, there are some health concerns surrounding them. Some people decide to cut back on coffee due to health reasons and because they want to restrict their caffeine intake. If you find yourself in a similar position, you don’t need to kiss coffee goodbye. You can switch to coffee’s friendly alternative: decaf coffee.
Decaf coffee tastes remarkably similar to regular coffee. The key difference is that decaf coffee is made from coffee beans that have had 97% of their caffeine removed when compared to regular beans.
There are several methods manufacturers use for removing caffeine from coffee beans. However, the most typical method requires soaking the beans in water and methylene chloride or ethyl acetate.
These compounds decaffeinated the beans while preserving the coffee beans’ authentic taste.
It should be noted that even if the beans have been decaffeinated, caffeine will always be present in your coffee- just a small amount. Compared to a regular cup of coffee, decaf coffee has 97% less caffeine on average. So, it’s a lot less caffeine than your regular cup of joe.
The amount of caffeine present in your decaf coffee depends on the decaffeination procedure the coffee manufacturers used. The most caffeine you will find in your decaf coffee is 3% which isn’t bad at all.
There are many benefits of decaf coffee so if you’re thinking of making the switch, you’re making a great decision. Here are some of the benefits you may find when drinking decaf:
Fights against diabetes and heart disease – Numerous studies have found that drinking decaf coffee lowers the chance of acquiring Type 2 diabetes. The antioxidants in decaf coffee aid in the neutralisation of free radicals. This minimises oxidative damage and can help prevent diseases like Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and cancer.
Vitamins – Aside from antioxidants, decaf coffee is a great producer of all sorts of vitamins and minerals. Most notably, vitamin B-3. Vitamin B-3 is good for cleansing the body and can reduce anxiety and stress. What’s more, with just one cup of decaf coffee, you’ll get 2.4% of your RDI of magnesium and nearly 5% of your RDI of potassium. A few cups of decaf coffee a day means you are meeting your daily vitamin needs.
Improved Sleep – Unlike regular coffee, decaf coffee does not have high amounts of caffeine which means it won’t keep you up at night. Quite the opposite actually. A nice, warm cup of decaf coffee might be exactly what you need to be soothed to sleep.
Improved Memory – Decaffeinated coffee includes polyphenols, which have been shown to improve cognitive performance and alertness. These polyphenols have also been linked to a reduction in cognitive issues such as early-onset dementia.
Drinking coffee and the benefits of drinking coffee vary. However, when you drink decaf coffee, you know you’re unlocking a new level of coffee-drinking benefits. That being said, it’s always important to consume in moderation. You don’t want to drink too much decaf unnecessarily.
So, enjoy your warm cup of decaf coffee without the disadvantages of caffeine!
