Decaffeinated coffee is an alternative used by the coffee company, since it contains less caffeine compared to regular coffee. Therefore, it is more convenient for those who need to limit this substance for some reason.
To highlight: The consumption of decaffeinated coffee is a recommended option due to the benefits it provides for health while continuing to maintain its main function, although in a reduced way, which is to stimulate people energetically.
In this article you will find the necessary information to know about decaffeinated coffee and the benefits it provides for health. In the same way, it specifies what type of drink it is and what its nutritional properties are.
What is decaffeinated coffee?
Decaffeinated coffee is a drink that has had part of the caffeine removed with the purpose of reducing this chemical substance compared to others. This can be achieved by various methods, especially when the beans are green and not roasted.
A study carried out at the University of Caldas in Antioquia , confirms this definition by mentioning decaffeinated coffee, as a drink that has a very low percentage of caffeine, this substance being used as an input for other drinks or medicines (1) .
Properties of decaffeinated coffee
The properties that decaffeinated coffee has are quite significant, since it has a high concentration of vitamins , minerals and calories that are beneficial to health. Among which we can mention the following:
vitamins
In decaffeinated coffee, there is vitamin B2 (riboflavin), whose main function is to fight headaches, muscle cramps and the appearance of acne on the face . Also, it is important for releasing energy from protein.
It also has a high content of vitamin B3 (niacin), which serves to maintain proper functioning of the digestive system, nerves and skin, through the elimination of toxic substances in the body.
minerals
The minerals that can be found in decaffeinated coffee are potassium , phosphorus, calcium, iron and magnesium . All of these are necessary for the body, as they help control arterial activity and good blood circulation.
calories
Decaffeinated coffee has 2 calories per 100 milliliters, which turns out to be extremely low and ideal for people who are on a diet or want to lose weight. Although if sugar is added, this amount can increase significantly.
Health benefits of decaffeinated coffee
The benefits offered by decaffeinated coffee for health are varied, since thanks to its components and nutritional properties, they help prevent the risk of different diseases and the proper functioning of the body, these being the following:
Reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease
Regular coffee increases the risk of people suffering from cardiovascular diseases, due to the large amount of caffeine it has, on the contrary, decaffeinated coffees, as this property is reduced, helps reduce these risks.
To highlight: A study carried out at the University of Valencia in Spain confirmed that adequate consumption of decaffeinated coffees benefits the reduction of cardiovascular diseases, unlike normal coffees, due to the low level of caffeine it contains (2) .
Promotes good blood circulation
A good blood circulation in the body can be promoted by decaffeinated coffees. This is due to the large amount of potassium that this drink has, which helps maintain healthy blood pressure and regulate hypertension in people.
Regulates blood pressure
Decaffeinated coffees are a good source of calcium and potassium. These minerals turn out to be effective in relaxing the walls of blood vessels and thus regulating blood pressure, being a beneficial drink for people suffering from hypertension.
To highlight: At the Inter- American Open University in Argentina, a study was carried out on minerals and their relationship against blood pressure, in which potassium and calcium are mentioned as regulating agents for people suffering from high hypertension (3) . .
lowers cholesterol
Decaffeinated coffees provide the benefit of lowering cholesterol levels in people. This is due to the processes that are carried out to extract and eliminate caffeine, this being an associated component to increase LDL (bad cholesterol).
Lowers the risk of diabetes
Decaffeinated coffee reduces the risk of type 2 diabetes, thanks to the antioxidants that this drink has. Likewise, the production of chlorogenic acid helps to reduce glucose production in the liver and lower blood sugar .
In a study carried out at the Fundación Universitaria Iberoamericana in Colombia , they evaluated the long-term consumption of decaffeinated coffees with the appearance of diabetes, in which they concluded that this beverage reduces the risk of suffering from this disease (4) .
Reduces cell oxidation
The consumption of decaffeinated coffees helps reduce cellular oxidation, slowing down aging in people. This is thanks to the chlorogenic acids and polyphenols that this drink has, acting as antioxidants in the body.
To highlight: An article published in the Chilean Nutrition Magazine explains that coffee has high amounts of polyphenols and chlorogenic acid, which are known to be powerful antioxidants for the body (5) .
Prevents degenerative diseases
Another of the benefits that decaffeinated coffees bring to people is that they help prevent degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s. This is thanks to the antioxidants they possess, thus helping to improve the cognitive abilities of the brain.
Improves digestive function
Decaffeinated coffees provide the benefit of improving the digestive function of people. This is caused by the stimulus caused by the drink in the production of gastric juices, thus relieving stomach aches and poor digestion.
A study carried out at the University of Porto in Portugal mentions that the relationship that decaffeinated coffees have with the digestive system is that they help stimulate the secretion of stomach acids, thus benefiting the digestive system (6 ) .
Reduces headache
Headaches can be reduced with the consumption of decaffeinated coffee, since caffeine is associated as a cause of migraines in people when it is in excess, however, this drink can temporarily relieve pain adequately.
Decreases muscle cramps
Decaffeinated coffee helps people reduce muscle cramps due to the small amount of caffeine it contains, since it can cause muscle spasms when its use is high, since there is little potassium in the body and due to excessive use of the muscle
Eliminates toxins from the body
Regular and decaffeinated coffee have a certain diuretic effect that helps prevent fluid retention and eliminate toxins in the body. It is also associated with antioxidant properties such as polyphenols that help with this function.
Controls anxiety and nervousness
Decaffeinated coffee helps people control their anxiety and nervousness, because it has little caffeine, which is the cause of the excitement of the brain and nervous system . It is even attributed antidepressant effects.
How to consume decaffeinated coffee?
Once the benefits provided by decaffeinated coffee and the properties it possesses are known, it is necessary to know how to consume it and even combine it with other ingredients, in order to prepare better coffees. Here are some very simple recipes:
Decaf coffee with cinnamon
Consuming decaffeinated coffee is a good alternative as a drink in the morning, since you can take advantage of the benefits that it provides as well as cinnamon . In addition to being delicious, its preparation process is quite simple.
Ingredients
- Decaffeinated coffee
- Hot water
- sweetener to taste
- Cinnamon
Preparation
- Add the hot water together with the cinnamon, in the same pot and let it infuse for 10 minutes.
- Then, serve the already infused water with the cinnamon in a coffee pot along with the decaffeinated coffee and bring to a boil.
- Finally, add sugar or any sweetener to taste.
- Serve in a cup and enjoy.
Decaf coffee with milk
Decaffeinated coffee with milk is an alternative to the traditional one, in which you can enjoy an exquisite flavor that this dairy provides. It also turns out to be a simple preparation to make, being its ideal consumption for any time of the day.
Ingredients
- Decaffeinated coffee
- Vegetable or skimmed milk
- sweetener to taste
Preparation
- In a coffee maker, serve the milk and decaffeinated coffee for its preparation. Let boil for 5 minutes.
- Remove the coffee from the coffee maker to serve and add sweetener to taste.
- Serve in a drinking cup.
dalgona coffee
Dalgona coffee is a famous drink in oriental countries, in which its preparation consists of beating all the ingredients until a frothy consistency is achieved. It is very simple to make and is perfect to cool down on very hot days.
Ingredients
- Decaffeinated coffee
- Hot water
- sweetener to taste
- Cold vegetable or skimmed milk
- cocoa powder
Preparation
- In a cup, add 2 tablespoons of decaffeinated coffee, 2 of sugar or any sweetener, and 2 of hot water. Beat until beige in color (approximately 7 minutes).
- In a glass, pour up to 3/4 parts of the cold milk.
- Add the beaten coffee on top of the milk with the support of a spoon.
- Decorate with cocoa powder and consume.
Key takeaways
- Decaffeinated coffee is a drink that has had part of the caffeine removed with the purpose of reducing this chemical substance compared to others. This can be achieved by various methods, especially when the beans are green and not roasted.
- It has many properties that benefit the body and the health of the human being, since it is rich in vitamins such as B2 and B3; minerals such as potassium, magnesium, iron, calcium and phosphorus. It also has the ideal amount of calories for people who are on a diet or want to lose weight.
- Among its benefits, Eliminates toxins from the body, Prevents degenerative diseases, improves digestive function, Decreases the risk of diabetes and cholesterol, reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases, regulates blood pressure and helps with good blood circulation.
- It can be consumed by combining it with cinnamon, with milk and with cocoa powder in the preparation of the well-known Japanese dalgona coffee.
University Professional in the area of Human Resources, Postgraduate in Occupational Health and Hygiene of the Work Environment, 14 years of experience in the area of health. Interested in topics of Psychology, Occupational Health, and General Medicine.