As much as some of us love coffee, many people can’t enjoy its caffeinated goodness due to health concerns or sensitivity to caffeine’s effects. Whether you suffer from digestive issues, anxiety, insomnia, or heart problems, you might be used to brewing up a decaf coffee instead of a regular brew.
The good news is that there is a wide selection of decaf options. Many brands offer decaf options in the form of instant coffee, pods, ground coffee, and whole-bean coffee. But have you ever wondered how decaf coffee is produced? How healthy is it? And is it safe to drink?
Is there caffeine in decaf coffee?
Surprisingly, most of the decaf coffee on the market still contains caffeine. According to the National Coffee Association of the USA, decaf coffee removes about 97% of the caffeine, which means you might get up to 3% of the caffeine compared to a regular cup of coffee in your decaf.
If you enjoy having several cups of decaf coffee daily, you may consume more caffeine than you think. This may be something to consider if you have health conditions that prevent you from being able to tolerate caffeine.
If you want a coffee alternative that still resembles the dark, bitter drink and is entirely non-caffeinated, consider barley or chicory root beverages. They are dark, bitter drinks that brew up like coffee. However, remember that they don’t have the same aroma or flavor as a typical cup of joe, and they tend to lack the health benefits that are found in coffee. Barley and chicory root are usually roasted to the “burnt” stage, so they begin to resemble the blackness and bitterness of coffee.
How is decaf coffee made?
There are two popular methods for decaffeinating coffee. The first is called the European Method. This method is most commonly used and is more economical than the second method, the Swiss Water® Process.The European Method removes caffeine from green coffee beans by rinsing them in methylene chloride. The caffeine bonds to the liquid solution and is then removed from the beans.
The Swiss Water Method uses a Green Coffee Extract, which is made of water and all the soluble solids found in coffee except caffeine. This process is unique as no artificial chemicals are involved in removing caffeine from the coffee. Even organic coffee can undergo the Swiss Water® Process and retain its organic certification.
Decaf coffee produced using the European method is the cheapest on the market, while Swiss Water® Process coffee is comparatively more expensive. When selecting the proper decaf brew, consider affordability.
Is decaf coffee safe?
According to OHSA, methylene chloride, the same chemical commonly used to decaffeinate coffee, is industrially recognized as a paint stripper and for cleaning and degreasing metal; it is even used for pharmaceutical manufacturing. It is a colorless liquid with a chloroform-like odor. It is a known carcinogen, and contact with methylene chloride can cause “adverse effects on the heart, central nervous system, and liver” (source).There are concerns that long-term consumption of decaf coffee increases exposure to methylene chloride. Unlike other foods, coffee is often consumed in large quantities over a long period of time. If someone has 2 cups of decaf coffee per day, every day, that’s 730 cups of coffee in one year.
In the USA, regulations limit the amount of methylene chloride permitted in coffee. The FDA requires that methylene chloride “ not exceed ten parts per million (0.001 percent) in decaffeinated roasted coffee and decaffeinated soluble coffee extract (instant coffee).”
This may not sound like much, but ten parts per million are about ten drops of methylene chloride in every 10 gallons of coffee.
Like all processed foods, there are health risks associated with the pesticides, chemicals, and processes used to manufacture them. There are no clear answers as to how much exposure is safe and what the long-term impacts are on our health.
Everyone leads a different lifestyle. Therefore, evaluating the health risks of consuming decaf coffee may be worthwhile, especially if you drink it regularly and for many years.
If you are looking for a decaf coffee that does not use methylene chloride as a solvent, Swiss Water Process is a good option, or look for a low caffeine option instead of decaf.
Low Caffeine Coffee
If you are looking to cut back on your caffeine intake but would like an alternative to decaf coffee, choosing a low-caffeine option may be the answer. Several brands of coffee on the market offer half-caf, quarter-caf, and low-caf options.Choose a low-caffeine coffee that does not use methylene chloride to decaffeinate the beans. DAYES Enzyme Fermented Coffee uses water and enzymes to decaffeinate its blend. Their fermentation process removes up to 85% of the caffeine in the coffee, leaving only about 15%. DAYES Coffee is also mycotoxin-free, so you can enjoy it knowing it has been screened for mold toxins.
