Coffee is one of the most loved and consumed beverages worldwide. The drink from this roasted grain has a strong aroma and strong taste that awakens all the senses of the user. However, with its high caffeine content, coffee is not a drink that everyone can drink throughout the day with a constant frequency from day to day. Therefore, many people have chosen decaf coffee to satisfy their love of drinking coffee without fear of the negative effects caused by caffeine.
Coffee is not just a morning drink that helps provide caffeine to help people stay awake and focused at work. Some studies have proven that if you consume the right amount of coffee, it will help maintain health and help prevent some diseases caused by aging. People who are sensitive to caffeine or are on a diet may not be able to consume traditional coffee. Therefore, decaf coffee was born with health benefits that make it possible to “overtake” traditional coffee.
What is decaf coffee?
This type of coffee is still made from coffee beans, but they have had at least 97% of the caffeine removed
Decaf coffee is an abbreviation for decaffeinated coffee. This type of coffee is still made from coffee beans, but they have had at least 97% of the caffeine removed compared to regular coffee. They are made for people who drink coffee but have symptoms of caffeine sensitivity such as heart palpitations, headaches, dizziness, shortness of breath, and severe insomnia.
Decaf coffee has a long history with the invention of the decaffeination process by a German merchant in 1903. In this early stage, unroasted coffee will be steamed with various acids or bases, then filtered again through benzene solvent to remove most of the caffeine in them. However, later some studies have shown that the process with many chemicals can cause users to get cancer by benzene solvent, this process has been eliminated. Currently, people make decaffeinated coffee in many ways to help ensure maximum separation of caffeine in coffee beans while still ensuring the health of consumers.
Currently, there are many methods to perform decaffeination. These include the organic solvent method, the supercritical carbon dioxide method or the Swiss water technique. Of these, the carbon dioxide method is probably the best method for removing caffeine because they leave no chemical residue in the finished product. However, this method can lose some volatile coffee oils that affect the taste of the drink. Decaf coffee usually has a slightly milder smell and taste depending on the decaffeination method used. The nutritional value of this coffee is close to that of regular coffee apart from the caffeine content. Therefore, decaffeinated coffee will be easier to use for people who are sensitive to bitterness and large amounts of caffeine.
Nutritional composition of decaf coffee
Decaffeinated coffee has the same nutrients as traditional coffee
Decaf coffee is a calorie-free food, so drinking black coffee does not affect your daily calorie intake. However, if you add cream or sugar, they will increase the amount of calories absorbed into the body.
Typically, a cup of decaf coffee (30ml – 60ml) contains nutritional content including:
- Protein: 0.24g
- Calcium: 5mg
- Iron: 0.12mg
- Magnesium: 12mg
- Potassium: 128mg
- Sodium: 5mg
- Caffeine: 2mg
Caffeine is a stimulant that affects the central nervous system and metabolism in the body. A typical cup of coffee contains between 95 and 200 mg of caffeine. The McKinley Health Center at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign recommends that people consume less than 300 mg of caffeine per day. However, in one cup of decaf coffee contains only 2mg of caffeine. They provide health benefits for sensitive people who cannot consume traditional coffee.
Health benefits of decaf coffee
Decaf coffee brings many benefits if used in the right dosage
Traditional coffee brings many practical health benefits if used correctly and in the right dosage. Therefore, decaf coffee also offers almost the same health benefits when used correctly. The great uses of this coffee include the following.
Helps reduce the risk of diabetes
In a recent study by the American Diabetes Association, researchers found that the consumption of both traditional coffee and decaf coffee was associated with a reduced risk of diabetes. Research shows that certain components in both types of coffee, such as lignans and chlorogenic acid, aid in beneficial glucose metabolism. Besides, they also help reduce stress that causes the formation of free radicals that negatively affect health. Additionally, both regular black and decaf coffee are rich in magnesium, which has been linked to a reduced risk of diabetes and improved cardiovascular, immune system and brain function.
Helps support liver protection
Another study has shown that coffee, whether traditional or decaffeinated, has great effects in protecting the liver. The researchers suggest that diterpenes in coffee and various oils such as cafestol and kahweol have a protective effect against a toxin called aflatoxin. This type of substance has a negative effect on the liver. Meanwhile, cafestol and kahweol encourage the production of glutathione, which is a potent antioxidant that enhances liver function and promotes detoxification in the body.
Helps support heart health
Another great benefit of traditional coffee and caffeinated coffee is that they have a positive effect on endothelial function. Endothelial function is important for cardiovascular health, as it aids in the regulation of vasodilation and vasoconstriction that affect blood flow. This activity provides proper oxygenation and nutrient-rich blood flow throughout the body. Endothelial dysfunction can lead to an increased risk of heart disease.
However, scientists have recently found that decaffeinated coffee has less of a positive effect on endothelial function than traditionally contained coffee in terms of its ability to scavenge free radicals. The researchers suspect this is because decaffeinated coffee has undergone a decaffeination process that inadvertently removes some of the polyphenols found in coffee.
In addition to its antioxidant capacity, decaf coffee also contains large amounts of certain minerals and vitamins such as magnesium, calcium, iron, potassium, sodium, and vitamin B3. Therefore, the consumption of decaffeinated coffee can also significantly reduce the risk of premature death, as well as death from stroke or heart disease.
Helps reduce the risk of aging and age-related neurological decline
In both traditional coffee and decaf coffee, there are substances that help to have a positive effect on age-related neurological decline. Human cell studies also show that decaffeinated coffee can protect nerve cells in the brain. This can help prevent the development of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
One study suggested that the anti-depressants are likely caused by the chlorogenic acid in coffee, not by the caffeine. However, caffeine itself also aids in reducing the risk of dementia and neurodegenerative diseases. Many studies show that regular coffee drinkers have a lower risk of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease than those who don’t consume coffee.
Helps prevent the risk of acid reflux and colon cancer
A common side effect of traditional coffee drinking is heartburn or acid reflux. Meanwhile, decaf coffee can reduce this unpleasant side effect. Decaf coffee has been shown to cause less acid reflux than regular coffee. Drinking two cups of decaf coffee a day has also been linked to a 48% reduction in the risk of developing colon cancer.
Things to note when using decaf coffee
You need to find out the side effects of decaf coffee before taking it
The side effects associated with decaf coffee have not been well studied. Most of the literature is made only about traditional coffee. In addition to caffeine, some of the more common side effects associated with coffee are its effect on nutrient interactions and the body’s absorption of iron.
Some studies show that for every cup of coffee consumed, risk factors for bone loss increase. This higher risk of osteoporosis may be related to the fact that coffee reduces calcium absorption. Besides, consuming a lot of coffee also reduces the body’s ability to absorb iron.
How to make decaf coffee
Decaffeinated coffee can be brewed the same way you would traditional coffee. You only need to boil water with a quantity of about 10g of coffee and 180ml of water to produce a dilute decaf coffee that is easy to use. When the water boils, you pour boiling water into the filter that already has coffee and enjoy after 4-5 minutes.
In general, coffee is a popular drink worldwide. However, not everyone can drink coffee because for some people, the caffeine in them can cause health problems. For these people, decaf coffee is a great option to enjoy coffee without the side effects of caffeine. This drink is packed with antioxidants and has been linked to a reduced risk of all sorts of serious diseases. Currently, decaffeinated coffee is widely consumed, you can find them at stores specializing in coffee beans or pre-roasted coffee for more expensive than traditional coffee.
Reference source
Decaf coffee is loaded with antioxidants and contains nutrients. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/decaf-coffee-good-or-bad#Decaf-coffee-is-loaded-with-antioxidants-and-contains-nutrients Accessed 15/12/2020
Is Decaf Coffee Good or Bad for Your Health? https://draxe.com/nutrition/decaf-coffee/#Health_Benefits Accessed 12/15/2020
How Many Calories in a Cup of Decaf Coffee? https://www.livestrong.com/article/312931-how-many-calories-in-a-cup-of-decaf-coffee/ Accessed 12/15/2020
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