There is nothing like a hot cup of coffee for relieving the tension and exhaustion that our hectic lives cause every day. A few sips of coffee and you are already able to feel the magic – it just quickly re-energizes you. And, the entire credit there belongs to caffeine, which is one of the most popular ingredients of this beverage, known for its energy stimulant capabilities. However, for some particular reasons, it has been vilified for its negative effects on some individuals’ health. Excessive coffee intake can interfere with the correct functioning of the neurological system and have a negative impact on several things. Actually, this is the time where decaf coffee comes into the scene.

So, what is decaf coffee? It is just a regular coffee, however, it is produced from beans that have had the majority of their caffeine removed prior to roasting and grinding. To put it in a few words, decaf coffee is a pretty soft drink with a mellow flavor and aroma. It is an excellent alternative for people who dislike the harsh flavor and strong, pungent odor of ordinary coffee.

How is Decaf Coffee Made?

There are numerous techniques for making coffee that is reasonably decaffeinated. All of these techniques have the advantage (or disadvantage, whichever suits you) of making the coffee flavor softer because caffeine is something that makes your cup acidic and bitter.

The typical decaffeination procedure involves soaking coffee beans in hot water. After that, the caffeine is extracted or dissolved using carbons. Commonly used solvents are either ethyl acetate or methylene chloride. When the liquid is saturated from the first batch, the succeeding batches keep a lot of their taste. Some techniques involve re-soaking the coffee beans from the original batch in order to reabsorb some of the taste components (without caffeine, of course), so they can be used for making a decaf coffee. So, if there comes a question “how much caffeine is in decaf coffee”, the answer is going to be – not much.

Another approach involves steaming the beans for 30 minutes rather than immersing them in water and then rinsing them with solvents that we already mentioned above – methylene chloride and ethyl acetate.

Is Decaf coffee bad for you?

As we already mentioned at the beginning of this article, decaffeinated coffee, sometimes known as “decaf,” has a similar flavor and look to normal coffee but has far less caffeine. There is no evidence that consuming decaf is harmful to one’s health, and it may even have some of the same health advantages as regular coffee.

Decaf coffee just like any other is safe to consume and may even be part of a balanced diet. If you are wondering whether the decaffeination procedure itself is safe, then the short answer is yes. After the caffeine is eliminated, coffee is washed, steamed, and then roasted at high temperatures so the liquids used for decaffeination are evaporated.

Considering the fact that the decaffeination process has raised some concerns in people, we need the feel to mention the fact that the FDA (also known as the Food and Drug Administration) has allowed the use of solvents during caffeine extraction as long as the final product does not have more than 0.0001 percent of methylene chloride in it.

Side Effects of Drinking Decaf coffee

Another question is whether there are any decaf coffee benefits. While we have already said that consuming decaf coffee is completely safe, some studies have also shown that there are possible side effects of drinking it.

It has been proved that decaf coffee has the ability to increase the levels of harmful cholesterol – the same effects have not been found in regular coffee. Additionally, decaf coffee use has been related to an increased risk of arthritis. Caffeinated coffee, however, did not offer this danger.

Decaf coffee was also observed to raise serum gastrin levels. Gastrin is the hormone that causes stomach acid to be secreted. When this occurs in excess, it might cause acidity symptoms.

When offered decaf coffee, those who drink this beverage on a daily basis may feel headaches, sleepiness, and even lethargy. Another potential issue is the use of methylene chloride in the decaffeination process. According to certain studies, the chemical can sometimes slow down your nervous system and cause sleepiness, headaches, or nausea.

A lot of people ask the following question: “Can you drink decaf coffee while pregnant?”. The answer is that there are no specific rules regarding the use of decaffeinated coffee during pregnancy. Due to the very low amount of caffeine in this drink, it is most likely safe to consume in moderation during pregnancy.

Is Decaf coffee worth trying out?

Some might say that regular coffee has much more advantages, but that does not automatically imply that it is healthier to drink. The truth is that caffeinated coffee has been researched by a lot of people more extensively and the result is that we know much more about it, which explains why some people might prefer it. But there is another thing to keep in mind – there are some people whose body is very sensitive to caffeine.

After a cup of coffee, some individuals experience negative health symptoms such as heartburn, acid reflux, and overall stomach pain- we can all agree that starting your day with one of these is not the best feeling in the world. However, because there exists a decaf coffee it brings the possibility to alleviate these symptoms, making it a better option for some.

It all relies on you and your body’s reaction to caffeine when it comes to coffee. If you don’t experience any adverse effects, be cool and drink your coffee calmly. A decaf is a good option if you want something gentler in both flavor and sensation. Whether the thought of swallowing chemicals does not sound very attractive to you, check for the certified organic mark or ask your local coffee shop if they stock organic products.