If you are watching your caffeine intake for health reasons, choosing decaffeinated coffee may seem like a perfect alternative to your regular coffee intake. However, almost all decaffeinated coffee actually contains a small amount of caffeine, although these levels are small compared with regular coffee. Understanding the true levels of caffeine in decaffeinated coffee drinks can help you decide whether or not to indulge.
Process
Decaffeination is the process used to create decaffeinated coffee. During decaffeination, coffee beans are first softened with water, then that water is treated with compounds to remove the caffeine that leached out of the beans. After decaffeination, the beans are soaked again in the decaffeinated water to return flavor components that were leached along with the caffeine. The chemicals used in modern decaffeination processes are generally considered safe, unlike some chemical solvents used in the past.
Ranges
A 2006 study in the "Journal of Analytical Toxicology" found that caffeine levels in decaffeinated coffee drinks purchased at commercial chains and local coffee shops ranged from 8.6 mg to 13.9 mg per 16 oz. cup. Decaffeinated espresso had between 3.0 and 15.8 mg per shot. The caffeine content of a normal cup of black coffee is about 85 mg, so the levels in decaffeinated coffee are still far lower.
Concerns
For most healthy individuals, a small amount of caffeine poses no threat to health. Some people, however, may have medical conditions that require a severe cutback in caffeine intake or even complete abstinence from caffeine. Individuals with high blood pressure, or hypertension, might need to eliminate caffeine from the diet if they notice a rise in blood pressure after caffeine consumption. People with kidney disease and anxiety disorders may also need to limit their caffeine intake.
Perspective
According to website Science Daily, a dose of caffeine as low as 10 mg can produce behavioral effects such as anxiety and agitation in susceptible individuals. Some people notice some effect of caffeine at doses under 18 mg.
Considerations
Because the amount of caffeine in decaffeinated coffee is small, it would take 10 or more cups a day to reach levels similar to a single cup of black tea, regular coffee or caffeinated sodas. If you do not have a medical condition that requires keeping your caffeine intake low or eliminating caffeine from the diet, drinking only a few cups of decaffeinated coffee should not compromise your health. However, people who are sensitive to the effects of caffeine may want to choose a different beverage to eliminate the possibility of a negative effect.
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