The Truth About Decaf Coffee: Is It Bad For Your Health?

In 2020, Canadian aged 18-79 consumed an average of 2.7 cups of coffee per day. ((Coffee and Tap water Are the most commonly consumed beverages. (n.d.). https://632419-2056279-raikfcquaxqncofqfm.stackpathdns.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/CAC-Coffee-Consumption-and-COVID19-Infographic-2020.pdf)). Moreover, the Coffee Association of Canada also showed that Coffee is the most commonly consumed beverage, followed by tap water. This only implies that Canadians drink more than tap water.

Coffee is truly a go-to drink, and there are various types of it. It varies depending on preparation and how much caffeine it has. Please see the table below to see how much caffeine is in your coffee.

Decaffeinated coffee is among the popular coffee options in Canada. But, what truly is decaf coffee? Is it bad for your health? Let’s find out!

What Is A Decaffeinated Coffee?

Decaffeinated coffee or ‘decaf coffee’ refers to a type of coffee where about 97% or more caffeine is removed in the coffee beans. ((All About Decaffeinated Coffee. (n.d.). www.ncausa.org. https://www.ncausa.org/Decaffeinated-Coffee))

As you refer to the table above, the typical instant decaf coffee has only 5mg of caffeine per cup.

To remove the caffeine, the green coffee beans are soaked or steamed in the water and exposed to a decaffeination agent such as carbon dioxide, coffee oil, ethyl acetate, methylene chloride, or water. ((Decaffeination – Coffee Association of Canada. (n.d.). Retrieved December 13, 2021, from https://coffeeassoc.com/coffee-101/decaffeination/))

Is Decaf Coffee Bad for Your Health?

Decaf and regular coffee have a similar taste and appearance. The only main difference between decaf coffee and regular coffee is that contains a little amount of caffeine.

Moreover, decaf coffee is seen as a great option for those with sensitivity to caffeine but who love to drink coffee.

However, you might be wondering if decaf coffee is beneficial for our health or will it bring harm?

The good news is that decaf coffee is safe to drink and has health benefits to the body. You can still enjoy a great cup of it just like a regular coffee.

A 2017 study also showed that decaf coffee is safe for consumption and cannot bring harm to health. ((Poole, R., Kennedy, O. J., Roderick, P., Fallowfield, J. A., Hayes, P. C., & Parkes, J. (2017). Coffee consumption and health: umbrella review of meta-analyses of multiple health outcomes. BMJ, j5024. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.j5024))

The decaffeination process is safe and can remove caffeine up to 97%.

Coffee Association of Canada also defined naturally decaffeinated based on the decaffeination agents used. Among these agents are water, coffee oil, and carbon dioxide.

Moreover, the Coffee Association of Canada told that it is impossible to remove all the caffeine.

The amount of caffeine is regulated in a decaf coffee

To regulate the amount of caffeine in a decaf coffee, Health Canada established regulations about the maximum amount of caffeine allowed for decaf instant, roast, and ground coffee. The regulations include the following:

• The decaf roast and ground coffee cannot contain over 0.1% residual coffee
• The decaf instant coffee cannot have more than 0.3% residual caffeine

Health Benefits of Decaffeinated Coffee

Decaf coffee is ideal for those who want to enjoy a great cup of it and include it in their daily healthy diet. And, here are the benefits you can gain from drinking a cup of decaffeinated coffee:

• Avoid the side effects of too much caffeine consumption since decaf coffee removes about 97% of caffeine.
• In a 2005 study, it concluded that decaffeinated coffee was associated with the reduction of incidence of rectal cancer. ((Michels, K. B., Willett, W. C., Fuchs, C. S., & Giovannucci, E. (2005). Coffee, tea, and caffeine consumption and incidence of colon and rectal cancer. Journal of the National Cancer Institute, 97(4), 282–292. https://doi.org/10.1093/jnci/dji039))
• Both decaf and caffeinated coffee has protective effects against oxidative neuronal death in the brain. It can also protect neurons of the brain from H₂O₂-induced apoptosis by up-regulation of this antioxidant enzyme. ((Kim, J., Lee, S., Shim, J., Kim, H. W., Kim, J., Jang, Y. J., Yang, H., Park, J., Choi, S. H., Yoon, J. H., Lee, K. W., & Lee, H. J. (2012). Caffeinated coffee, decaffeinated coffee, and the phenolic phytochemical chlorogenic acid up-regulate NQO1 expression and prevent H₂O₂-induced apoptosis in primary cortical neurons. Neurochemistry international, 60(5), 466–474. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuint.2012.02.004))
• Additionally, decaf and caffeinated coffee can health to prevent the risk of neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease ((Cho, E. S., Jang, Y. J., Hwang, M. K., Kang, N. J., Lee, K. W., & Lee, H. J. (2009). Attenuation of oxidative neuronal cell death by coffee phenolic phytochemicals. Mutation research, 661(1-2), 18–24. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mrfmmm.2008.10.021))
• Decaf coffee may help to reduce mortality risk ((Loftfield, E., Freedman, N. D., Graubard, B. I., Guertin, K. A., Black, A., Huang, W. Y., Shebl, F. M., Mayne, S. T., & Sinha, R. (2015). Association of Coffee Consumption With Overall and Cause-Specific Mortality in a Large US Prospective Cohort Study. American journal of epidemiology, 182(12), 1010–1022. https://doi.org/10.1093/aje/kwv146))

Who can benefit from Decaffeinated Coffee?

Decaffeinated coffee is advisable to be taken by those experiencing the unpleasant side effects of consuming too much caffeine such as having insomnia, nausea, headaches, rapid heart rate, dizziness, dehydration, anxiety, and dependency. ((Medline Plus. (2017, December 31). Caffeine. Medlineplus.gov. https://medlineplus.gov/caffeine.html))

However, it is always important to check with your health care provider if it is advisable to take decaf or avoid caffeine, especially if you have the following condition

• Pregnant
• Breastfeeding
• Sleeping Disorders such as Insomnia
• Chronic Headaches
• Anxiety
• GERD or ulcers
• Irregular Heart Rate
• High Blood Pressure
• Taking Medications

Furthermore, remember that each one of us has a unique requirement, so it is essential to consult with a health professional before taking a decaf coffee.

Is Decaf Coffee Good for You?

If you are sensitive to caffeine, decaf coffee is a perfect option for you. It can also bring the same health benefits as caffeinated coffee.

However, if you are suffering from the conditions stated above, always remember to consult a health practitioner. In addition, caffeine intake may vary per individual.

Wanted to Achieve your Health Goals?

Aside from dealing with a healthy diet, it is also essential that your other health goals are addressed. If you are looking for a health and wellness clinic in Coquitlam or in Surrey, Evergreen Rehab & Wellness is always here to help you.

We don’t only have acupuncturists in Coquitlam, physiotherapists, naturopathic doctors, registered massage therapists, chiropractors, kinesiologists, and clinical counselors we also have acupuncturists in Surrey and other practitioners in Surrey that are always ready to provide best-in-class service.