By: Annie Morgan
Most adults depend on a strong cup of coffee to survive the day…
… then there are those who willingly choose to drink decaf coffee.
It’s still a mystery why some people request decaf – but as further research is completed, it turns out decaf coffee is not only strange, it’s not even good for the body.
So if you know someone who thinks decaf is the way to go – here are 3 reasons why you should stay far away from this faux product
It Actually Does Have Caffeine
People order decaf coffee thinking they’ve eliminated all caffeine from their diet – but the truth is decaf actually does have a small trace of caffeine.
Sure, it’s less than regular coffee, but it’s still there.
According to Healthline, a 12-ounce cup of decaf joe could contain up to 5.4mg of caffeine.
And if a person who isn’t used to drinking coffee tries decaf, even this small amount of caffeine can still cause them to feel jittery.
Chemicals Galore!
Coffee naturally has caffeine.
So how do you think they get the caffeine out of coffee?
Yep, you guessed it – they dose it in chemicals.
While there are different methods to extract the caffeine – many places use the solvent-based process – which uses all kinds of chemicals like methylene chloride and ethyl acetate.
Consumer Reports stated:
“There are three key methods for removing caffeine from regular coffee beans: The most common uses a chemical solvent, another uses liquid carbon dioxide (CO2), and the last simply uses water.
All take green, unroasted coffee beans, soak or steam them until the caffeine is dissolved or their pores are opened, and then extract the caffeine.
While the CO2 and water methods are considered chemical-free, the solvent method relies on synthetic chemicals such as ethyl acetate (naturally found in some fruits) and methylene chloride (commonly used in industrial applications such as in adhesives, paints, and pharmaceuticals).”
Researchers have continued to debate the risk of decaffeinated coffee, and while experts generally agree the water and CO2 method are okay – there is still debate about the methylene chloride.
The FDA claims the “trace amounts” are “too minuscule” to cause health problems, but many health experts still aren’t convinced.
Consumer Reports continued:
“When inhaled in small doses it can cause coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath. At higher doses, it can cause headache, confusion, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and fatigue, and has been found to cause liver and lung cancer in animals.”
Let’s put it like this – anytime chemicals are used on food it’s not a good thing.
And using the same chemical industries use with paints and adhesives to strip the majority of caffeine from coffee sounds like an unnecessary health risk.
It Doesn’t Even Taste Good
After having your coffee go through a process of extracting the caffeine and throwing chemicals on it – it’s expected the taste is altered.
The smell and taste are radically different, and you are drinking basically brown water.
One of the pleasures of drinking coffee is inhaling the sweet aroma and savoring the taste of a strong cup of good quality coffee.
Sure, the caffeine is a plus, but the experience is part of the fun too.
Decaf takes away all of these – there’s barely any caffeine – it doesn’t smell good – it doesn’t taste good – and surely there are better things to drink other than putrid-smelling brown water!
Stick To The Good Stuff
If you’re worried about too much caffeine – make sure you are drinking coffee during the day when it’s okay to have an extra burst of energy – instead of in the evening when you are trying to sleep.
Bulletproof coffee is a fantastic breakfast idea – as it has MCT or coconut oil and butter all blended together for a smooth creamy taste.
Of course – stick to the organic stuff and skip the pumpkin spice filled lattes.
Truly good coffee doesn’t need to be laced with sugar and heavy cream – it’s perfect black.
And as for decaf coffee…
Sure it does exist… but there really isn’t even one good reason why you should even consider it.
Plus, if you are “that person” who orders decaf in a restaurant and forces the wait staff to make (waste) a whole pot of coffee just so you can feel better – you won’t win many friends.
Do you drink decaf coffee?
What surprised you most about how decaf coffee is produced?
Tell us your thoughts in the comments below and be sure to share this article with your friends and family to let them know how the amazing ways a good night’s sleep helps the brain!
