The Big Decaf switch, is it healthier?

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Is decaf a healthier option?

Coffee is actually a good idea; as if it's even a question, in moderation like anything. The question here though. is decaf coffee a healthy alternative to the much loved caffeinated coffee that the world wakes up to everyday? 

Healthy alternatives are popping up left, right and centre over recent years, with adaptations of much loved food and drinks from vegan friendly options to decaffeinated reduced sugar everything. Gyms are also popping up all over the country with grand ideas on keeping the body in shape and the mind sharp, we are indeed in the middle of a body first renaissance. Our coffee consumption has even been affected by an uptake in decaf coffee over the last 12 months, this has been noticed at our roastery which has been confirmed by consumer research analyst 'Mintel'.  

​Research over the last 10 years has suggested that moderate consumption of caffeinated coffee is safe and that it likely has many benefits. Studies have shown that between 2-3 cups a day may be the sweet spot and adults can consume up to 400mg per day which is the equivalent of 4 mugs. This is not to be consumed in one go but to be spread out over the day. The reason for the gaps is to allow for the caffeine to filter through the body. It takes an adult approximately 4 hours to reduce the caffeine in their system by 50%.

Coffee, both caffeinated and decaffeinated contains chlorogenic acid, an antioxidant which has been shown to slow the body's absorption of glucose which has been shown to correlate to why many coffee drinkers have a decreased chance of becoming type 2 diabetic. These very same antioxidants have been attributed to the reduced risk of cancer, notably is the reduction of menopausal breast cancer. This reduced cancer risk is all thanks to the chlorogenic acid found in coffee which is also found in fruit and vegetables.

Caffeine does have some draw backs which makes the decaf alternative more appealing, you get all of the benefits without the negatives commonly associated with caffeine. Caffeine in large quantities can be damaging to your mood, your sleep and over long periods of time it can even affect your overall health. It's also best to consume a little less caffeine when you're young as your tolerance for caffeine increases with age and weight.

To finish on a positive note, caffeine is safe in moderation just like most food and drink is safe when portioned. Coffee has a whole host of benefits that are great for the body and the best bit is that all that good stays even when the caffeine is removed. Don't want the caffeine boost, drink decaf!