What is Decaf Coffee? Is decaf coffee a diuretic?

What is decaf coffee?

Decaf coffee, short for decaffeinated coffee, is made from coffee beans with at least 97% caffeine removed. Many consumers want to limit their caffeine intake due to physical or psychological reasons. Manufacturers try hard to reserve different compounds in coffee beans during the decaffeination process. So that decaffeinated coffee will still have a similar flavor, and health benefits compared with regular coffee. 

Is there caffeine in decaf coffee?

Many of us wonder does decaf coffee has caffeine in it. The answer can vary between different brands in the market. Often, only 1% to 3% of caffeine remained after the decaffeination process.

One regular cup (8 oz – 236 ml) of decaf coffee may have 2 to 7 milligrams of caffeine. Compare to 70-140 milligrams caffeine in one cup of regular coffee. It is due to the fact the caffeine is purposely removed from coffee beans beforehand. You can check how much percentage of caffeine still intact in each coffee bag you buy on their labels.

How is coffee decaffeinated?

There are several ways to decaffeinate coffee. Mostly, unroasted coffee beans will be soaked and steamed in a mixture of water with safe to use chemical ingredients. Those ingredients can be methylene chloride, super-critical carbon dioxide, ethyl acetate, or activated charcoal. They are used to shorten the time for the decaffeination process, therefore minimize the loss of non-caffeine coffee compounds and preserve flavor. 

The modern method of caffeine extraction tries to minimize or even eliminate the use of chemicals in this process. For example, Swiss Water Decaf Company claimed to make 99.9% caffeine-free decaf coffee without any chemical involved. Excess consumption of chemicals like methylene chloride may cause dangerous effects on the human body. Methylene chloride is approved by FDA (Food and Drug Administration) for use in the decaffeination process with the condition that the finished product contains equal or less than ten parts per million (10 ppm). By not using chemical, coffee will be less likely to cause a harmful effect. 

Is decaf coffee a diuretic?

Diuretic means “causing increased passing of urine.” It links to the sensation that after a cup of coffee, people soon start to look for a restroom. Many studies around the world show that decaf coffee is not a diuretic. However, despite studies and trials, some decaf coffee drinkers argue that it has a diuretic effect on them. It is not easy to go case by case on a topic like this, researchers need to rely on fact from trials while people base their opinions from personal experiences. 

Aside from being an excellent drink to hydrate, decaffeinated coffee benefits come from its high antioxidant level. Other nutrients found are magnesium, B vitamins, and potassium. It is also linked with reduce risk of type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and help protect the liver. Decaffeinated coffee also contributes to positive brain function with soothing effects. People who drink decaffeinated coffee do not need to worry as much about caffeine intake and the downside of caffeine with your health. 

Does decaf coffee has any side effects?

Many people are anxious about caffeine intake and decide to switch from regular coffee to decaf coffee. Apart from it being decaffeinated, is there anything else that we need to take know. In general, it is not bad for your health. However, like almost anything in this world, excess consumption may lead to specific issues. Cause decaffeinated coffee may have some adverse side effects. One of that can be the increase of gastrin concentrations level, which links to the release of stomach acid. Excess consumption may lead to ulcers or acid reflux. Also, drink decaf coffee may interfere with the body’s ability to absorb iron. 

Another side effect is caffeine withdrawal symptoms. For people who used to drink regular coffee for a long time, a sudden change to the consumption of decaf coffee may make them feel unpleasant at first. Symptoms include fatigue, drowsiness, or headache. Depend on which and how much chemical is used in the caffeine extracting process, side effects will vary. It is best to ask your doctor before you make the switch. They can also suggest the safe consumption amount based on your specific health condition. 

Where to buy decaf coffee?

Decaf coffee can be found in various supermarkets and online. If you want to try a particular brand , then a quick search on the web will give you the destination. 

Among brands, Starbucks decaf coffee is enjoyed by many. One 16 fl. oz Starbucks decaf coffee cup (size Grande) contains 25 mg caffeine, while a Short cup contains 15 mg of caffeine. Starbucks decaf ground coffee is also available for purchase from Starbucks, Amazon, and other retailers. 

For people who are super sensitive to caffeine but love coffee, they can find decaf coffee with 99.9% caffeine removed (compare with the regular 97%). Based on different decaffeination techniques, the taste will be different. That is why the only way to find your favorite decaf coffee brand would be to try and find one that aligns with your taste-buds.