If you are one of those coffee aficionados who drink coffee regularly; at the same time want to limit your caffeine intake, then decaf coffee is a great choice for you.
Haven’t tried decaf coffee? it is the right time to start then.
Before starting out the decaf coffee, you need to know the basic difference between decaf and regular coffee which change the perception about decaf. Let’s we will explore it.
What is Decaf Coffee and How it’s Made?
Decaf coffee is brief of decaffeinated coffee. For making decaf coffee the coffee beans are used from which at least 97% of caffeine is removed.
There are different methods are used like solvent processed, water processed etc for decaffeination. These methods begin with maximizing the moisture level in green coffee beans which eases to remove the caffeine.
In the solvent process, the solvents like carbon dioxide, ethyl acetate, methylene chloride are used for decaffeination. In this process, coffee beans made soften by providing steam. Beans are kept in a contact of solvent so that, the solvent mix with the caffeine. Again, steam is given to the beans to remove the solvent.
In the water-based process, green beans are soaked in hot water to make it caffeine-free. This process is repeated as many times as required.
It removes the 97-99% of original caffeine present in coffee to make it decaffeinated. Though decaf coffee is not totally caffeine free, the very little amount of caffeine is present in it.
Decaf Vs Regular Coffee
How Much Caffeine is in Decaf Coffee Compared to Regular Coffee?
Actually, caffeine content differs from bean to bean. Such as Robusta beans contain twice the amount of caffeine than America beans.
If you want to lower the amount of caffeine in your cup of joe, it is essential to choose the right type of coffee beans.
As we said earlier, decaf coffee in not totally caffeine-free. The caffeine contains in a decaf coffee is 0-7 mg. per cup (6 oz.).
On other hands, regular coffee comprises about 70-140 mg. of caffeine in each cup. The amount of caffeine also depends on the brewing method and coffee type.
How Much Decaf Coffee Equals a Regular Coffee?
If you prefer decaf coffee for health purpose, one essential thing I want to mention here that decaf coffee is not completely free from caffeine.
The caffeine in five to ten cups of decaf coffee is equal to one or two cups of regular or caffeinated coffee.
So, if you are drinking decaf coffee for avoiding caffeine intake because of medical purpose, you should care about intake of decaf coffee too.
Is Decaf Coffee Just as Acidic as Regular Coffee?
On scientific base, acidity is measured on Ph level. Numbers above 7 shows lower acidity level, 7.0 ph level indicates neutrality, figures below 7 shows higher acidity. Decaf coffee has Ph around 5.0 to 5.1 which indicates a high acidity level.
Decaffeinated coffee is known as more acidic than regular coffee in the coffee industry. Decaffeinated coffee is made from Robusta beans which is the most acidic type of beans. It has higher caffeine content and more acidic than regular coffee beans. They hold more flavor after decaffeination process.
Whereas regular coffee made with Arabica beans which are less acidic beans with more flavor.
So, by comparing decaf and regular coffee, decaf tends to be more acidic due to Robusta beans.
Does Decaf Coffee Have as Many Antioxidants as Regular Coffee?
Coffee is a good source of antioxidants in the Western diet. There is no any major difference of antioxidants between decaf coffee and regular coffee.
In fact, coffee, with or without caffeine, is fully loaded with biologically active elements.
Hydrocinnamic acids and polyphenols are the main antioxidants present in both types of coffee. The antioxidants help to lower the risk of Type 2 diabetes and heart diseases.
The antioxidant, Ferulic acid contains in coffee helps to prevent the oxidative damages to our body and reduce the brain inflammation.
Coffee also contains antioxidants properties like Cafestol, Trigonelline, Quinine which provides numerous health benefits.
Actually, decaf coffee has 15% lower antioxidants than regular coffee as a little number of antioxidants loses during the decaffeination process.
Does Decaf Coffee Have the Same Health Benefits as Regular Coffee?
Coffee has several health benefits if you consume it moderately.
Decaffeination process reduces the caffeine content in your cup of joe without affecting the flavor. Five to ten cups of decaf coffee have equal amount of caffeine in one to two cups of regular coffee. If you have caffeine intolerance, then decaf coffee is a great choice for you.
The person suffers from anxiety, depression or sleeping problem, it is a smart way to switch to decaf coffee. Those who have the stomach ulcer or heartburn issue may consume decaf instead of regular coffee.
Decaf coffee brings numerous health benefits such as it improves brain function, lower the risk of heart diseases, protect the liver, prevents diabetes etc.
Watch Out the following video that shows decaf coffee is actually healthier or not?
Does Decaf Coffee Taste the Same as Regular Coffee?
No, the taste of decaf coffee is not the same as regular coffee.
Decaffeination process is usually done with the green coffee beans to remove the caffeine concentrate. But this process also affects flavor, aroma and other chemicals in coffee.
The natural taste of coffee is changed. So, decaf coffee taste is different from regular coffee.
But do you know the best part? Here is the trick about roasting beans that only few coffee lovers know it.
You need to roast the quality decaf coffee beans differently than regular coffee. So, you get no any difference in the quality of the flavor of coffee with the same origin.
Is Decaf Coffee Better Than Regular Coffee During Pregnancy?
The American Pregnancy Association shows that; caffeine reduces the fertility in animals. It is wise to limit your caffeine intake during the pregnancy.
You don’t need to cut down the caffeine intake completely but you should limit it. So, decaf coffee stands for those ladies who are pregnant or breastfeeding. The research in California’s San Joaquin Valley points out that decaf coffee is not harmful to mother or fetal development during pregnancy.
Nowadays, decaffeination is done with the Swiss water method is used for decaffeination without using a chemical. It removes the caffeine 99.9% and considered very safe.
As everyone’s pregnancy is different, consult with your doctor about the safe amount of caffeine intake.
Is Decaf Coffee a Diuretic Like Regular Coffee?
There is a belief that regular coffee with caffeine leads to dehydration. This is not true so far!
Actually, caffeine is a fairly mild diuretic. It doesn’t lead to losing so much urine and risk of dehydration.
300 milligrams per day caffeine intake is good for overall health. If you have been having a caffeine more than this level, just limit your intake! Moderate intake of regular coffee can be a part of hydration of the body.
On other hands, decaffeinated coffee has no diuretic effect on health. Instead, it is a good source to hydrate your body throughout the day. Decaf coffee has no diuretic properties.
Is There Any Side Effects of Decaf Coffee?
- The decaf coffee leads to increase the level of LDL cholesterol.
- Decaf coffee causes negative calcium balance, adversely affects bone density.
- As decaffeinated coffee is more acidic in nature, causes gastroesophageal reflux.
- It also increases Gastrin hormone level which is liable for release acid in the stomach.
Decaf or Regular Coffee- Which is Better?
Coffee is one of the healthy beverages on the earth and consumed by millions of people over the globe.
If you consume caffeinated coffee in moderate, you can get more health benefits over decaf. If you drink more than 3 cups of coffee per day, then decaf is a good alternative you have.
The decaf coffee differs from the regular one in many perspectives like taste, flavor etc. But it also depends on individual preference.
