Decaf Coffee - Benefits and How It's Made

Decaf coffee is a type of coffee that has had most of its caffeine removed. It is made by using various methods such as Swiss water process or carbon dioxide extraction.
Category
Beverage
Where to get
Available in most coffee shops and supermarkets
Prepared by Lee Cheng, reviewed by Dr. Helena Rodriguez

Decaf Coffee FAQ


Image credit: walmart.com

How does decaf coffee work?

Unlike regular coffee, decaf coffee undergoes an additional process to remove the caffeine. This process is typically done in one of three ways—all of which involve soaking coffee beans in water before they’re roasted. The first method involves using chemical solvents either directly on the beans or in the water they have been soaked in.

Does decaf coffee have caffeine?

Decaf coffee beans are washed in solvents to remove 97% of the caffeine content prior to roasting. Aside from the caffeine, the nutritional value of decaf coffee should be almost identical to that of regular coffee. How much caffeine is in decaf coffee? Decaf coffee is not completely caffeine free.

Why is decaf coffee different from regular coffee?

This difference is most likely caused by a small loss of antioxidants during the decaffeination process. The main antioxidants in regular and decaf coffee are hydrocinnamic acids and polyphenols ( 1, 12 ). Antioxidants are very effective at neutralizing reactive compounds called free radicals.

What is decaf coffee?

Originating from berries harvested from the plant species Coffea, decaf coffee is coffee whose beans have undergone a decaffeination procedure in an effort to remove most of their caffeine content. Despite its name, caffeine isn’t completely absent from decaf coffee.

How much caffeine is in a cup of decaf?

One study found that each 6 ounces (180 mL) cup of decaf contained 0–7 mg of caffeine ( 3 ). On the other hand, an average cup of regular coffee contains about 70–140 mg of caffeine, depending on coffee type, preparation method, and cup size ( 4 ). So, even if decaf is not completely caffeine free, the amount of caffeine is usually very small.

What are the health benefits of drinking decaf coffee?

The health benefits found for drinking decaf coffee are similar to that of caffeinated coffee, including a lower risk of type 2 diabetes, some cancers and overall . More recently, coffee has been linked with improved weight management over time. Most of the health benefits have been shown by drinking of decaf per day.

Is decaf coffee bad for You?

For some people, the caffeine can cause problems. For these individuals, decaf is an excellent way to enjoy coffee without the side effects of too much caffeine. Decaf has most of the same health benefits as regular coffee, but none of the side effects.

Decaf Coffee References

If you want to know more about Decaf Coffee, consider exploring links below:

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