Decaffeinated Coffee And Arginine Levels

If the stimulatory effects of regular coffee bother you, you might consider drinking decaffeinated coffee instead. This requires extra processing of the coffee bean to remove the caffeine and still keep the other chemical components intact that give coffee its characteristic aroma and flavor. One of these chemicals is arginine, an amino acid that improves circulation and heart function. Although decaffeinated coffee is not a significant source of arginine, certain conditions may necessitate giving it up along with caffeine, such as pregnancy, kidney disease or the use of medications.

Description

Although the term “decaffeinated coffee” implies that all of the caffeine has been removed from the beverage, decaffeination actually takes place in the coffee bean before brewing and a small amount of caffeine always remains. The decaffeination process must be repeated several times to successfully extract most of the caffeine using a solvent or compressed carbon dioxide. No matter what method is used, however, international standards require that the caffeine content of decaffeinated coffee not exceed 0.1 percent, which equates to approximately 3 milligrams of caffeine per cup.

Decaffeination

There are four methods of decaffeination, all of which involve soaking the green beans. These are the Swiss water process, which uses hot water; the carbon dioxide method, which uses compressed carbon dioxide and activated carbon filtration; and the sparkling water process, which also involves compressed carbon dioxide but uses a sparkling water wash instead of carbon filters as the last step to caffeine extraction. The fourth method uses methylene chloride, also known as dicloromethane, to chemically extract caffeine.

Composition

According to the Coffee Research Institute, coffee contains more than 800 chemical compounds that lend the hot beverage its aromatic qualities, including a variety of amino acids like arginine. Also known as L-arginine, this amino acid is used by the body to produce nitric acid, an agent involved in regulating the function of blood vessels. Because this enhances circulation, it may help to prevent heart disease.

Comparison

The USDA National Nutrient Database lists the arginine content of regular brewed coffee as 0.002 grams for each cup, which the agency defines as 8 fluid ounces. This level is virtually unchanged in brewed decaffeinated coffee. However, “instant” decaffeinated coffee made from powder or freeze-dried crystals is slightly lower at 0.001 grams of arginine per cup.

Safety Considerations

If you have had a heart attack or a heart transplant, have a history of kidney disease or diabetes, or take blood-thinning medications, you may need to limit arginine intake. Although dietary arginine is largely obtained from high-protein foods, your doctor can determine if you must also restrict your intake of coffee, even the decaffeinated kind.