Despite their name, decaffeinated drinks do in fact contain trace amounts of caffeine.
While it is unlikely that decaffeinated drinks will affect you the same way caffeinated drinks will, there are many reasons that you may be sensitive to even trace amounts of caffeine.
Decaffeination
Decaffeination is a process used to remove the caffeine from caffeine-heavy drinks such as coffea and tea. Sodas that do not contain caffeine may also be referred to as “decaf.” According to Mayoclinic.com, a regular 8-ounce serving of coffee can have between 95 and 200 milligrams of caffeine, while a decaffeinated cup of the same size will have around 2 to 12 milligrams. For tea, these numbers are 40 to 120 in the regular cup and 2 to 10 milligrams in the decaffeinated cup.
Caffeine Risks
Caffeine is safe for most people. The amount of caffeine in decaffeinated products is not high, but it is still present. MayoClinic.com recommends cutting down on caffeine if your intake approaches 500 to 600 milligrams per day. It would be very difficult to reach that limit drinking decaffeinated products. However, people who are very sensitive to caffeine may experience some of the same side effects in very small doses. These include headache, jittery feelings, restlessness or sleep problems. Additionally, those who are not used to drinking caffeine will have a lower tolerance.
Avoiding Caffeine
If you have been told to avoid caffeine completely because of a possible interaction with a drug or an existing medical condition, you should also avoid decaffeinated coffees and teas. Decaffeinated sodas may have no caffeine at all, but it is very important for you to read the labels and discuss how much caffeine your body can tolerate with your doctor. According to MayoClinic.com, a lower body weight may also make you more susceptible to caffeine’s effects, and those who are pregnant, have sleep or anxiety disorders, or are taking certain herbal supplements should avoid caffeine.
Suggestions
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist to discuss whether the amount of caffeine in decaffeinated products is okay for you. Check for other possible sources of caffeine. For example, many candies containing chocolate will have caffeine, and certain painkillers can have more than 100 milligrams per pill.
