Decaf Coffee

Coffee, while most people enjoy its energizing properties, others dread the jitters and anxiety that come along with it. 

Let’s face it, preparing a perfect cup of coffee whether you like it black or with loads of sugary creamer is the highlight of anyone’s day. 

But, drinking copious amounts of coffee especially if you are a huge coffee fanatic can lead to one experiencing anxiety, jitters, and even nausea. 

Have you ever wondered why you are experiencing these unpleasant side effects after consuming your beloved cup of morning brew?

Caffeine is a common stimulant present in coffee beans that come to your aid when you are feeling extra low. 

But the energizing stimulant caffeine comes with its own set of repercussions that often lead to unpleasantries such as unbearable headaches, insomnia, jitters, and anxiousness. 

So, if you are a coffee fanatic in the dilemma of whether or not you should ditch coffee because of coffee jitter, do not break into sweats. 

Decaf coffee is here to save the day! Decaf coffee or Decaffeinated coffee is a great coffee type developed with almost no amount of caffeine stimulants, which gives your beloved cup of joe the same taste as regular coffee. 

If you are someone who wants to make a switch to Decaffeinated coffee but still questioning its function and effects on the body, look no further. 

Here is all you need to know about Decaf Coffee, to help you determine whether or not this type of coffee is meant for your needs or not.

What is Decaf Coffee Exactly?

Decaffeinated coffee also called Decaf Coffee is essentially brewed coffee beans that are stripped from the caffeine stimulant. 

Caffeine is a natural stimulant found in coffee beans that are used as a cognitive enhancer or energizer. 

When passed through the decaffeination process, these stimulants are removed from the coffee. 

The Decaffeination process involves washing the coffee beans with a mixture of methylene chloride or ethyl acetate which dissolve the substance and extract caffeine from the coffee beans. 

However, Decaf coffee is not completely caffeine free, and based on regulations and EU guidelines, Decaffeinated coffee should assimilate about 0.3% caffeine.

What are the origins of Decaf Coffee?

Decaffeination is a process that incorporates the removal of caffeine from tea leaves, coffee beans, and other substances that may contain caffeine. 

Decaffeinated products also called Decaf Products often contain about 1% to 2% of caffeine content. 

Friedeblieb Ferdinand Runge was a German Chemist who in the year 1820 performed the very first caffeine extraction from coffee beans. 

Later in the year 1903, Ludwig Roselius a German merchant commercialized Decaf or Decaffeinated Coffee after observing a consignment losing its caffeine content when being accidentally soaked in seawater. 

Decaffeinated Coffee grew in popularity as it contained fewer amounts of caffeine content with a similar taste to common caffeinated coffee. 

How is Decaf Coffee Made?

Based on different research and examination, there are three common ways of extracting caffeine from coffee beans:

1. Carbon Dioxide:

The Carbon dioxide gas is passed through the coffee beans in order to extract and separate the caffeine from the beans. 

2. Swiss Water Method:

The Swiss Water Method involves green coffee beans that are soaked in water for prolonged periods of time until the water has been completely saturated with caffeine. 

The caffeine is gradually sifted out of the water, leaving green-soaked coffee bean extract behind. 

The extracts are then added to green coffee beans containing caffeine. These non-caffeinated extracts travel through the beans to seek equilibrium, leaving these beans almost completely free of caffeine. 

3. Methyl Chloride:

For this princess, the chemical solvent Methylene Chloride is used to separate Caffeine from the coffee beans. 

Prior to this method, benzene chloride was used as a chemical solvent to extract caffeine from coffee beans, until it was proven to be a carcinogen. 

However, this method of extraction of caffeine from coffee beans is considered to be toxic that may lead to nervous system deterioration.

Why should you try Decaf Coffee?

There are myriad reasons to avoid caffeine, but that doesn’t mean you should ditch drinking your favorite cup of joe completely. 

People who experience negative effects after drinking beverages that contain you may experience the following side effects:

  • Anxiety
  • Insomnia
  • Restlessness
  • Increased heart pace

Consuming Decaf Coffee can help avid coffee fanatics tremendously by providing the same taste and benefits as coffee but without any of the side effects mentioned above.

Learn more about the benefits of Decaf Coffee: https://www.thefoodcoachltd.com/benefits-of-decaf-coffee/

What are the benefits of Drinking Decaf Coffee?

Whether or not you should drink Decaf coffee or not depends on your needs and requirements. 

Here are some benefits of drinking Decaf coffee to help you determine whether or not this form of coffee is meant for you.

1. Caffeine Sensitivity:

Switching to Decaf Coffee can be beneficial for individuals who have caffeine sensitivities. 

Decaf Coffee helps alleviate issues relating to caffeine sensitivity such as heart palpitations, insomnia, high blood pressure, and restlessness.

2. Health Problems related to caffeine:

Decaf Coffee also helps people with health problems that are induced by caffeine intake. 

Caffeine is a natural stimulant that is not only an energizer but also a diuretic and acidic in nature. 

If you are someone who experiences heartburn, has acidity issues, or has dietary restrictions, decaf coffee may be your saving grace.

3. Anxiety induced by caffeine:

Caffeine as a stimulant can cause and trigger intense brain activity leading to restlessness, anxiousness, and even nervousness, the triad is often called “coffee jitters”.

Decaf coffee eliminates the stimulant overall and eliminates the possibility of you experiencing jitters completely.

4. Dehydration and digestive issues:

Some studies have indicated that the consumption of caffeine can induce a gastrocolic response in some individuals.

These effects are similar to some laxative medications, leading to digestive issues as well as dehydration. 

What are the Disadvantages of Drinking Decaf Coffee?

Along with all its advantages, Decaf Coffee also comes with its own set of disadvantages or cons that you must know before purchasing a pack of freshly brewed decaf coffee beans:

1. Cholesterol:

There are some studies indicating the effects of decaf coffee on cholesterol levels in the body. 

However, the findings are inclusive, with some indicating elevated levels of cholesterol in the body and others indicating no direct effects. 

If you are someone who has high-cholesterol problems, then it is best to avoid consuming decaf coffee.

2. Chemicals:

Decaf coffee which goes under Methylene chloride extraction often contains toxic chemicals that may cause neurological damage upon routine consumption and prolonged exposure. 

While small amounts of exposure to these chemicals do not possess any direct harm, it is best to check the label of your decaf coffee before you purchase.

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