There is a longstanding rumour that drinking decaffeinated coffee is better for you than standard coffee. People report having more energy when they swapped from regular to decaf. Always with a curious mindset, we wanted to explore this rumour to decide once and for all if there is any truth behind it.

What is decaf coffee?

Firstly, let’s get the basics out of the way. Decaf coffee is made as an alternative to standard, fully caffeinated coffee as it has almost no caffeine in it. There is a myth that decaf products are completely caffeine free, but in fact they usually have around 3 percent of caffeine compared to a normal cup of coffee. This is equivalent to about 2mg compared to the standard 95 mg of caffeine.

Decaf coffee is made using regular coffee beans which are then processed to remove the caffeine. There are about four different ways to do this. At New Kings Coffee we prefer the gentle Swiss Water Process which is chemical-free and results in a purer, cleaner and less ‘diluted’ taste. Unlike standard decaf, the process results in a 99.9% caffeine-free drink.

Source: https://www.swisswater.com/pages/coffee-decaffeination-process

Our decaf coffee

The beans for our decaf roast are sourced from the Sol Y Cafe or Sun and Coffee Cooperative in the San Ignacio province of north Peru. The region has a collection of distinct microclimates created as western and eastern mountain ranges of the Andes meet and descend into the Amazon Basin. The specific climate results in a smooth, mild and sweet taste with pleasing notes of roasted peanut, soft milk chocolate and cookie dough. The roast is medium-bodied with mild acidity and a slight burnt sugar sweetness. 

What are the health benefits of decaf coffee?

Decaf-coffee-drinkers usually love coffee but not the caffeine and see it as a soothing late evening drink that won't keep them awake. There are also those that prefer to look at the health benefits of their daily brew. There are about three established benefits of decaf coffee:

Anti-oxidants: Decaf coffee is high in the antioxidant B3 which helps your body rid itself of oxidative damage caused by free radicals that may put stress on your system. Studies have suggested that by drinking decaf coffee you can reduce your risk of Type 2 diabetes by up to 7 per cent which is linked to the lack of oxidative damage. Decaf coffee also contains magnesium which is also linked to preventing diabetes. Antioxidants have also been shown to lower the risk of heart disease and cancer and coffee is the biggest source of these miracle compounds in the western diet.

Improved Brain Function: Polyphenols is a specific antioxidant which improves cognitive function and alertness. They’ve even been linked to reducing the risk of cognitive problems such as early onset dementia. Decaf coffee is high in these compounds. There is also evidence that decaf coffee may protect neurons and prevent Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.

Vitamin Intake: Alongside magnesium and B3, coffee also contains 4.8% potassium and 2.5% of niacin. This may not sound like a lot, but if you are having 2 or 3 cups of coffee a day it can greatly contribute to meeting your daily intake and a balanced diet.

But, is it better than standard coffee?

The truth is, both types have the same level of antioxidants and magnesium. Decaf has sometimes been shown to have up to 15 per cent lower antioxidants that are lost during the decaffeination process. The links to preventing diabetes, heart disease, dementia and more are the same whether you drink decaf or regular coffee. Normal coffee has been shown to also improve mood, reaction time, mild depression in women, metabolic rates, liver damage, and athletic performance. This is largely due to the caffeine content.

Having said this, there are far more studies on regular coffee than decaf coffee. Despite the research, many people report vastly improved quality of life by switching from regular to decaf. People who find they are very sensitive to caffeine benefit from less over stimulation. We all know the feeling of overdoing it with coffee and the massive burn out that follows. Drinking decaf can help prevent the intense highs and lows that come with regular coffee. This is what tends to make people feel more energetic in the long run.

Regular coffee is linked to increased blood pressure and lack of sleep which in the long run can cause heart disease and increase your risk of suffering a stroke. Some people are also on medications that do not respond well to caffeine, and pregnant or breastfeeding women are often advised to reduce their caffeine intake. Decaf is a good alternative in these instances.

A good rule for everyone is to avoid consuming over 400 mg of caffeine per day. This is approximately four cups of coffee, but remember that other products such as tea and soft drinks can also contain caffeine.

To answer our original question, it is hard to give a blanket statement as to whether decaf is better for you and gives you more energy. Both regular and decaf coffee have a tonne of health benefits and a few drawbacks. We would advise that everyone listens to their own bodies and decides for themselves what the best solution is. If you haven’t tried switching to decaf, it might be worth it to see if it changes the way you feel day-to-day.