Does decaffeinated coffee also have negative effects on our health?

Decaffeinated coffee is often chosen by people who want to enjoy coffee without the effects of caffeine. Generally, decaffeinated coffee is considered safe, but there are some potential drawbacks and health concerns that may come into play in certain situations.

Most methods of removing caffeine from coffee beans, such as solvents, use chemicals such as methylene chloride or ethyl acetate. While these chemicals are used in very small amounts and are considered safe, some people may be concerned about residues in their coffee.

Methylene chloride can be harmful in large doses, but in the minimal amounts left behind by decaffeination, it is not considered a health risk. There are also safer methods, such as the Swiss Water method or the CO₂ method, that do not use chemical solvents. Coffee decaffeinated using these methods is considered safer and more natural.

Decaffeinated coffee, like regular coffee, can still cause heartburn or stomach irritation in people who are sensitive to the acids in coffee. Decaffeination changes the chemical makeup of the coffee slightly, but the acids that can cause irritation are usually still present.

Source: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0079612324001109?via%3Dihub

Author: Prof. Dr. Dirk Devroey - Latest update: 2024-09-13 - Copyright: Clinifacts 2024