Many of us can't start our morning without a cup of coffee , right? The refreshing aroma and the aroma help us start the day well. But for some , the caffeine in coffee is not very palatable to the body. Do you also love the taste of coffee, but avoid drinking coffee because of the side effects caused by caffeine? Then you have a good alternative. That is decaffeinated coffee, or as we all know it, decaf coffee . Let's talk about this today.
Why should we choose decaf coffee?
There are many reasons why someone might want to avoid caffeine. But that doesn't mean you have to give up the taste of coffee entirely. If you're sensitive to caffeine, you may experience the following discomforts when drinking regular coffee:
- Anxiety: A feeling of uneasiness and fear for no apparent reason.
- Restlessness: The inability to stay in one place, the urge to pace around aimlessly.
- Insomnia : The problem of not being able to sleep at night, especially after drinking coffee in the evening or at night.
- Increased heart rate : A feeling of rapid chest beating.
Imagine, you're chatting with friends after dinner and you feel like drinking coffee. But you avoid it for fear of losing sleep at night. Decaf Coffee is the perfect solution for times like these.
The most important thing is to drink decaf coffee as black decaf coffee, without adding sugar, milk, or syrups to it, to get the maximum health benefits . Adding extra ingredients can increase the calorie count and reduce the true benefits of the coffee.
Studies have found that decaf coffee, like regular coffee, can help keep your mood and focus at a good level. But it's different from the "wake-up" effect that caffeine gives. According to those studies, other chemical compounds in coffee can also have a positive effect on our daily functioning.
Another surprising benefit is that decaf coffee, like regular coffee, can protect our liver . Chemicals in both types of coffee have been found to increase liver enzyme levels and protect the liver.
Does decaf coffee really have no caffeine?
This is the biggest problem that many people have. Even though it says "decaffeinated," it actually doesn't contain any caffeine.
Simply put, yes, decaf coffee contains a very small amount of caffeine.
During the decaffeination process, about 97% of the caffeine is removed from coffee beans. This means that while a regular cup of coffee contains about 95 milligrams (95mg) of caffeine, a cup of decaf coffee contains only a very small amount, about 2 milligrams (2mg) .
This small amount usually doesn't affect most people who are trying to avoid caffeine. However, if you are caffeine sensitive, or if your doctor has advised you to avoid caffeine completely due to a specific medical condition, even this small amount may affect you.
Therefore, if you have a health condition that completely prohibits caffeine, be sure to consult your doctor before drinking decaf coffee. You may even have to avoid decaf coffee unless your doctor gives you permission.
Health conditions to consider especially about decaf coffee
In addition to avoiding the discomforts of caffeine, there are also some health reasons why you might want to switch to decaf coffee. Let's take a look at what those are.
| Health condition / cause | Description and why is Decaf Coffee suitable? |
|---|---|
| High Blood Pressure | If you have trouble controlling your blood pressure, your doctor may advise you to avoid caffeine. Caffeine can temporarily raise your blood pressure. By drinking decaf coffee, you can avoid that risk while still enjoying the taste of coffee. |
| Pregnancy | If you are pregnant, your obstetrician-gynecologist (OBGYN) may advise you to limit your caffeine intake to 200 milligrams (mg) per day. That's about 2 cups of regular coffee. Caffeine can cross the placenta and affect your baby. Excessive caffeine consumption can lead to miscarriages and low birth weight babies. So, if you are craving coffee, decaf coffee is a much safer option. |
| Caffeine Sensitivity | Some people experience anxiety, chest tightness, and sweating even after drinking regular coffee. If you are one of them, drinking Decaf Coffee allows you to enjoy the taste of coffee without those discomforts. |
| Certain Medications | If you are taking any medications, especially anti-anxiety drugs, they can interact with caffeine. So it is important to talk to your doctor about your medications and coffee consumption. |
If you experience any discomfort when drinking regular coffee, talk to your doctor about it. He or she may recommend decaf coffee as a good alternative. While you don't have to give up caffeine completely, it's a good idea to choose a cup of decaf coffee instead of regular coffee in the afternoon or at night.
Take-Home Message
- Decaf coffee is a great option for those who are sensitive to caffeine but still like the taste of coffee.
- Even though it says "decaffeinated," decaf coffee contains a very small amount of caffeine (about 2mg per cup).
- If you have high blood pressure , are pregnant, or are taking certain medications, be sure to consult your doctor before drinking decaf coffee.
- To get the maximum health benefits from decaf coffee, it is best to drink it plain without adding sugar or milk.
- Decaf coffee is a great choice for enjoying the taste of coffee in the afternoon or at night without disturbing your sleep.
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