Decaffeinated black coffee provides a jitter-free hot or iced beverage. It contributes only minimally to your caffeine intake. Decaffeinated black coffee provides a low-calorie, low-fat drink with antioxidants. Preliminary research suggests decaffeinated coffee offers health benefits, according to the Harvard Medical School Family Health Guide, although further research is needed.
Background
Manufacturers make decaffeinated coffee by using water or steam to cause green coffee beans to swell. Solvents, water or activated charcoal contribute to extracting the caffeine from the unroasted beans, according to the Institute for Scientific Information on Coffee's 'Coffee & Health.' If you're sensitive to caffeine or restricting your caffeine intake for medical reasons, you can enjoy decaf and receive the benefits of its antioxidants.
Caffeine
Decaffeinated black coffee, also called "decaf," contains an average of 5 mg of caffeine per 8-oz. serving, compared to an average 133 mg of caffeine in a regular cup of coffee, according to the Center for Science in the Public Interest, with the amount of decaf in an 8-oz. serving ranging from 3 to 12 mg. A 1-oz. serving of decaf espresso contains an average of 4 mg of caffeine. Drinking decaffeinated black coffee can help you avoid the caffeine side effects that drinking too much coffee can cause, such as nervousness, insomnia and increased stress.
Benefits
Decaffeinated coffee reduces C-peptide levels. Blood levels of C-peptide provide an indicator of insulin resistance, the Harvard Medical School Family Health Guide reports. Insulin resistance can lead to metabolic syndrome and diabetes. Decaf protects against diabetes, although not as much as caffeinated coffee does, according to the guide.
Decaffeinated coffee contains antioxidants -- plant food components that benefit the body in a variety of ways, such as by combating free radicals, compounds that cause cell damage. Further research is needed on the effects of consuming decaf coffee.
Considerations
Choosing decaf instead of caffeinated coffee is a good option for pregnant women because caffeine can reach the fetus. The fetus metabolizes caffeine at a slower rate than an adult, so pregnant women should limit caffeine intake to a low level, Dr. Rob van Dam of the Harvard School of Public Health suggests. Brewing decaffeinated or regular coffee with a paper filter cuts down on coffee's cafestol content. Cafestol is a substance in coffee that raises LDL cholesterol levels, the "bad" cholesterol, according to the Harvard School of Public Health.
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