As caffeine consumption can raise blood pressure and raise risk for cardiovascular disease, switching to decaf coffee has many advantages – not least of all reducing caffeine-induced headaches and increased heart disease risk. But you may be surprised to know that many conventionally decaffeinated coffee brands still contain small traces of the stimulant; researchers recently conducted a study that revealed most conventionally decaf coffee contains trace amounts of the chemical methylene chloride; this solvent used in paint strippers has been linked with certain cancer risks and banned by some applications by Environmental Protection Agency regulations.

EPA warns that inhalation of large doses of methylene chloride can be dangerous to human health, harming livers and kidneys. Yet FDA allows its use in coffee decaffeination processes; coffee companies don’t need to disclose which methods they employ on their packaging. A new investigation by consumer advocacy group Clean Label Project revealed some popular decaf brands contain residue from this toxic gas on their beans!

Methylene chloride poses several health concerns and is also an acidic solvent that damages coffee beans’ structure, altering their flavors in the process. Furthermore, it’s an ineffective substitute for the traditional European Method – still the most popular way to decaffeinate coffee in America today – which involves binding caffeine-laden green coffee beans with chemicals such as methylene chloride, ethyl acetate or isopropanol to remove them. However, other chemicals remain which alter flavor after roasting resulting in changes to flavors of roasted coffee beans which result in changes that alter flavor changes for roasted coffee beans.

Decaffeination methods that do not use chemical solvents have become increasingly popular, including the Swiss Water Process – soaking green coffee beans in water to extract their caffeine-free beans after which their extraction. While less harsh than some methylene chloride-based methods used by Clean Label Project, this decaf method still places great strain on coffee beans and may result in flavor issues in finished roasts.

For an optimal health alternative to caffeinated coffee, decaf made using either the Swiss Water Process or carbon dioxide method may be your perfect beverage choice. When looking for organic or certified organic labels on coffee brands that use safe decaffeination methods. No matter which one you opt for, independent scientific research demonstrates the health advantages associated with drinking decaf coffee as compared with regular caffeinated varieties; including longevity and reduced risk of multiple cancers.