Decaffeinated Coffee is one of the alternatives if you are bad with coffee but still want to enjoy it even though you can't sleep easily because of it.
Coffee is indeed helpful in a lot of ways especially for students and workers who tend to pull all-nighters, keeping them active and productive when they feel sleepy.
That is why coffee shops are bombarded with people most of the time, and coffee is present in your cupboards or pantry to give you that energy you lack sometimes.
Now, if you are bad with caffeine, you might enjoy decaf coffee to satisfy the cravings you have with regular coffee.
The downside of decaf coffee
Decaf coffee is technically a coffee without caffeine in it, which according to Healthline is a natural stimulant to the brain and central nervous system, which makes an individual alert and prevents the onset the tiredness.
When caffeine is removed from the coffee beans, Medical News Today reports that manufacturers soak the coffee beans in water with certain chemicals such as activated charcoal, methylene chloride, supercritical carbon dioxide, ethyl acetate.
We all know that too much of something is also bad. Here are the risks and several dangerous side effects of brewing and diving so much into the decaf world which was also mentioned by Eat This Not That.
Chemicals associated concerns
In an interview with Eat This Not That, a Scientist, Physician, and president of Angiogenesis Foundation, Dr. William Li report that some of the chemicals (also mentioned above) that is used to separate the caffeine from the coffee beans are also utilized in paint thinners or nail polish remover.
Medical News Today adds that inhaling methylene chloride in the air (even in small amounts) can temporarily slow down the central nervous system which can affect the person's attention and hand and eye coordination.
Dr. Olivia Audrey also shares with Eat This Not That, saying that the process of decaffeination because some studies have shown the potential risk for decaf coffee triggering Rheumatoid Arthritis.
Heart Disease and Cholesterol
Science Daily mentions a 2005 study that is presented in the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2005, demonstrating that Decaffeinated Coffee may cause an increase in harmful Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL) or bad cholesterol which is bad for the heart.
The researchers add in Science Daily that after three months of consuming decaf coffee, the participants experienced a rise in fatty acids.
Dr. Ava Williams mention in an interview with Eat This Not That that the beans used in decaffeinated coffee are robusta which has higher fats that stimulate fatty acid production in the body.
Not the same benefits as the regular one
Medical News Today mentions that 1 2017 large review suggests that drinking coffee has certain benefits in the body such as lowering the risks of progressing chronic diseases. However, the health site stresses that it is not yet clear whether the benefits of regular coffee also encompasses decaf coffee.
Drawbacks
Dr. Lis emphasizes in his interview with Eat This Not That, stating that decaf coffee has still 5% caffeine. He adds that if caffeine should go out of your life because of some health concerns, the decaf will not do the work because he stresses that the coffee undergoes decaffeination, not no-caffeination.
Just like all foods, drinking Decaffeinated coffee from time to time is alright, but when taken in excess, it might take tolls on your body. Moderation is still the key to a healthy cup of joe.
