Decaf coffee is an increasingly popular choice among those who wish to enjoy its flavor while limiting caffeine for health reasons. Decaf also works well as an aid for sleep issues or those whose sensitive stomachs cannot tolerate regular coffee’s high amounts of caffeine, with its many health benefits. While many assume decaf coffee doesn’t count, studies show otherwise: decaf offers just as many, if not more benefits than its caffeinated counterpart.

Decaffeinating coffee involves using chemicals to remove caffeine from coffee beans prior to roasting and grinding. Methylene chloride is the traditional decaffeination solvent; however, newer methods using carbon dioxide and water have become increasingly popular as they maintain more of the original flavor while decreasing risk of toxic side effects.

Although most caffeine is removed from decaf coffee, some trace amounts still exist and may impact mood and cognitive function; however, their impact is minimal and does not seem to negatively impact overall health.

Caffeine may cause unpleasant side effects in some individuals, such as insomnia, anxiety, rapid heart rate and digestive issues; but in other situations it can have quite the opposite impact – aiding sleep by increasing natural melatonin production in your body and acting as an antioxidant that protects brain cells against dementia or Alzheimer’s.

Coffee, both decaf and caffeinated varieties included, is packed full of minerals and vitamins that may benefit older adults living with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Coffee may help protect against NAFLD by decreasing fat deposits in the liver while improving how your liver metabolizes glucose.

Researchers also believe that diets high in phenolic acids, found in coffee, could help lower cancer risks; however, further studies must be completed on this issue.

At the end of the day, making the decision whether or not to consume decaf coffee should be decided upon on an individual basis. Caffeine tolerance varies between individuals; excess amounts should always be avoided. If caffeine consumption concerns you, try restricting yourself to 400 milligrams daily – approximately equivalent to four or five cups of regular coffee!

If you have concerns about your diet, consult with a nutritionist. A qualified professional can conduct advanced testing and tailor a personalized meal plan specifically to you. ZOE can connect you with a registered dietitian who can understand what’s going on within your biology and offer recommendations based on this.