15 Reasons Decaf Coffee Might be Better for You
Caffeine might not always be great for your health. That isn’t easy to internalize and act on, as most people drink coffee daily. If you want to cut down on caffeine, you should consider decaffeinated coffee. But the question is, is Decaffeinated coffee better for you? We’ll answer this question in this guide.
15 Reasons Decaf Coffee Might be Better for You
Those 15 reasons we have for you will show you why Decaf coffee might be considered better and healthier for your general well-being.
Reduced Anxiety
Caffeine consumption, especially more than one cup a day, causes jitters, nerves, and hard-to-control anxiety. If you hate that state but are still very used to your cups of coffee, consider replacing some with decaf coffee. It’ll help your body calm down and reduce anxiety.
Better Sleep
Caffeine, of course, interferes with sleep. It helps you stay awake longer or wake up in the morning. The downside is that it might cause insomnia, which leads to worse sleep patterns and sleep quality. If you cut down on some caffeine and leave it for when it’s seriously needed, your decaf replacement will satisfy the urge and the craving without worsening your sleep.
Lower Blood Pressure
If you tend to have high blood pressure, decaf coffee might be a better option. Caffeine can raise your blood pressure levels, and with the added anxiety that can alter your stress levels, it might indirectly cause even higher levels. Whether the problem is genetic, caused by coffee, or something else, cutting down on caffeinated coffee helps you in the short and long term.
Fewer Digestive Issues
Caffeinated coffee can lead to acid reflux, which affects digestion and alters the body's systems. This can, of course, be very uncomfortable to go through. If you’re having many digestive issues that happen frequently, cutting down on caffeinated coffee and going for decaf instead could help you.
Better Heart Health
As much as we love caffeine, coffee and energy drinks do put a lot of pressure on the heart. The seriousness of this pressure varies with age, genetics, family medical history, and how much caffeine you consume. If it’s worrying you, you should stop drinking caffeine and shift to decaf coffee instead. Generally, decaf may reduce the risk of heart disease.
Antioxidants
Coffee is, of course, not all bad. In controlled amounts, it has a lot of health benefits. Some of those health benefits come from the antioxidants. If you want to shift to decaf coffee, you’ll be pleased to know that decaf coffee still contains many of the antioxidants that are present in regular, caffeinated coffee. Those antioxidants can help protect against diseases and strengthen the immune system.
Lower Risk of Type 2 Diabetes
Some studies suggest that decaf and caffeinated coffee may reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. However, if you already have type 2 diabetes, it’s a bit different, as caffeine can mess up sugar and insulin levels in a haphazard way, and this would be a conversation to be had with your doctor. If you still want all the benefits of decaf coffee plus the lower risk of type 2 diabetes, it might be better to drink over-caffeinated decaf coffee.
Liver Health
As with a lower risk of type 2 diabetes, better liver protection is a shared trait between caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee. Likewise, decaf coffee is a good way to go if you don’t want the negative effects of regular coffee but still appreciate the liver health boost.
Pregnancy-Friendly
Caffeinated coffee might disrupt a pregnancy in many direct and indirect ways. If you’re a coffee lover, you probably crave not just the caffeine but also the taste and ritual. If you’re pregnant, then decaf coffee is the safer option for you to enjoy your morning and afternoon coffee without the risks associated with caffeine.
Reduced Risk of Ulcers
Ulcers can be one of the most irritating and painful things that can happen to your body. Sadly, consuming a lot of caffeinated coffee is one of the most common ways they develop. If you find yourself consuming as much coffee as the Gilmore Girls, then shifting to decaf will help reduce symptoms of ulcers if you’ve already developed them and lower the risk of developing them if you haven’t.
Fewer Headaches
Though many people drink coffee to stay awake, alert, and able to work better, it ironically can counter all of that by leading to intense headaches. Some people are more sensitive to caffeine-induced headaches than others, but extreme consumption can affect even those who aren’t normally sensitive. Decaf coffee can be a replacement for this.
Stable Energy Levels
Caffeine is, of course, very useful in giving us energy when we need it and don’t naturally have it, like when we’re rushing to catch up with a deadline or work very early in the morning on little sleep. The downside is that it also leads to intense crashes where all our energy suddenly vanishes, and we become unable to function. Developing a more stable energy rhythm and only drinking caffeine when needed is the healthiest way to go. Decaf coffee as a replacement is good for this as well.
Hydration
If you drink a lot of caffeinated coffee and energy drinks, you know the dehydration that comes with them. Hydration has miserable effects on the body, organs, skin, and hair. Decaf coffee is much less likely to cause this dehydration.
Lower Acid Content
Ulcers in the stomach and the mouth are only one of the effects of high acid consumption. Other effects include gas, bloating, nausea, diarrhea, and general abdominal pain. Coffee is known to cause all of this due to its high acid content. Decaf coffee has a lower acid content, making it more gentle on the stomach and abdomen.
Enjoyment Anytime
Last but not least, you can enjoy decaf coffee only whenever you feel like it. You won’t have to worry about messing up your sleep or getting jitters. You can enjoy drinking it.
While Decaf coffee is not for everyone, and sometimes, you’ll need the actual caffeine, there are many reasons it might be better for you. This guide has gone through the most important of those reasons. You’re now better equipped to decide whether to switch to decaf. Make sure to send the article to your friends and family members who are wondering whether decaf coffee is better for you.