Coffee is one of the most popular drinks in the world. Many people like to drink coffee, but want to limit their caffeine intake for some reason. Some want to cut down on caffeine because they get palpitations, others suffer from high blood pressure and others simply decide to switch to healthier alternatives.
For these people, decaffeinated coffee is an excellent alternative. However, is this type of coffee healthy and is it possible to completely switch to it?
This article aims to look at both the positive and negative effects of decaffeinated coffee. See the following paragraphs and decide whether you will continue to drink regular coffee or bet on its decaffeinated alternative.
What is decaffeinated coffee and how is it made?
Decaffeinated coffee is made from coffee beans, with 97% of caffeine removed. The coffee beans are washed in a solvent until the caffeine is extracted from them and then the solvent is removed. Caffeine can also be removed using a carbon dioxide or charcoal filter.
The nutritional value of decaffeinated coffee is almost identical to that of regular coffee, except for the caffeine content. However, the taste, smell and color may vary depending on the method used. This can also make decaffeinated coffee more pleasant for those who are sensitive to the bitter taste and strong smell.
How much caffeine is there in decaffeinated coffee?
Decaffeinated coffee actually contains a small amount of caffeine even after processing, usually about 3 mg per cup. A recent study found that one cup (180 ml) of decaffeinated coffee contains 0-7 mg of caffeine.
On the other hand, depending on the type of coffee, the method of preparation and the size, a medium-sized cup of normal coffee contains about 70-140 mg of caffeine.
Decaffeinated coffee is full of antioxidants and nutrients
Coffee is not as scary and unhealthy as some people make it seem to be. It is actually one of the biggest sources of antioxidants. Antioxidants are very effective in neutralizing reactive compounds called free radicals. This way, it can help prevent heart disease, some cancers and type 2 diabetes.
Decaffeinated coffee has almost the same amount of oxidants as normal coffee, although sometimes these values can be up to 15% lower due to processing.
In addition to antioxidants, one cup of decaffeinated coffee provides 2.4% of the recommended daily intake of magnesium, 4.8% potassium, and 2.5% niacin, or vitamin B3. This may not seem like much, but the amounts increase quickly if you drink 2-3 or more coffees a day.
Health Benefits of Decaffeinated Coffee
Coffee is associated with numerous health benefits, which are mainly due to its content of antioxidants and other active substances. However, the benefits of decaffeinated coffee are difficult to determine.
This is because most studies study coffee intake without distinguishing between regular and decaffeinated coffee and some do not even include decaffeinated coffee. Also, most of these studies are observational. They cannot prove that coffee has led to the benefits, only that drinking coffee is related to them.
Drinking coffee - both normal and decaffeinated are associated with a reduced risk of type 2 diabetes. Each cup a day can reduce the risk by up to 7%. It is also associated with a reduced risk of premature death, as well as death from stroke or heart disease.
Studies on human cells have also shown, that decaffeinated coffee can protect neurons in the brain. This can help prevent the development of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. Caffeine itself is also associated with a reduced risk of dementia.
Who should choose decaffeinated coffee instead of normal coffee?
Tolerance to caffeine varies greatly from person to person. For some people, one cup of coffee may be too much, while others may need five or six to feel the effect. For sensitive people, excessive caffeine intake can overload the central nervous system, cause anxiety, worry, digestive problems, heart arrhythmias or sleep problems.
People with sensitivity to caffeine are advised to limit their intake of normal coffee or switch to decaffeinated coffee or tea. It is also recommended that pregnant and lactating women limit their caffeine intake. Children, adolescents and people suffering from anxiety or sleep problems should do the same. Older people should also join this group to avoid the negative effects of caffeine.
In summary, coffee is one of the healthiest drinks on the planet. However, not everyone can drink coffee because caffeine can cause problems for some people. For these people, decaffeinated coffee is a great way to enjoy the taste without worrying about the side effects of caffeine. Of course, it should be intaken in moderation, so that there is no risk of side effects.
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