Coffee is one of the most popular drinks out there right now and we can clearly see that with all the new coffee shops popping up around Qatar. It is warming knowing that there are so many options now to enjoy a great cup of Joe and simply relax, socialise with family or friends or sip on as you type away on your laptop. But are you watching your intake? I am guessing most of us love coffee or at least have a cup or two during the day, but some of you out there enjoy coffee way above the recommended limit. So let’s talk about the general health benefits, if any, of coffee and the difference between regular and decaf.
You might be shocked, but coffee has so many health benefits and if you don’t already, maybe you should give it a try. Coffee is the biggest source of antioxidants in the general diet nowadays. These antioxidants reduce oxidative damage and may help prevent diseases such as heart disease, cancer, type 2 diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease and even Parkinson’s disease. Not only does it make you alert and put you in a possibly better mood, it can even help keep your bowel movements regular. On the other hand, people who have more sensitive stomachs, digestive issues, problems with anxiety or lack of sleep could be more sensitive to coffee and other caffeinated drinks, it all depends on your body and its tolerance/ reaction to caffeine. That’s why it is a good option for those who want to enjoy the smell and flavour to opt for decaf.
Both types of coffee are similar but only differ in their caffeine levels, the health benefits are the same. Decaf coffee usually contains a little bit of caffeine, but when measured, the average amount of caffeine in a regular cup of coffee is a total of 80-100mg compared to a cup of decaf coffee totaling up to an average of 2-15mg. To put it into perspective for you, the US FDA recommends that adults limit their caffeine intake to a maximum of 400mg per day, working out to be around 4-5 cups of coffee. Now doesn’t that sound reasonable? Increased consumption can lead to lack of sleep, higher blood pressure and an increased risk of heart disease and stroke. Also keep in mind that some green and black teas contain up to 30-50mg so decaf might even be a better option than tea sometimes.
To decaffeinate coffee, the beans must be washed in solvents to remove the caffeine. The beans are then roasted and continue the same process as regular coffee. The only issue is that there are three usual methods used and one uses a solvent called methylene chloride that leaves a minimal amount of residue in the decaf coffee. According to research and the FDA it is well below the strict limit imposed and poses no risk to its consumers.
Another important component to note about drinking coffee or in general having caffeine is that people who have trouble sleeping, have digestive problems and women who are pregnant, trying to get pregnant or breastfeeding should watch their consumption of caffeine as it may have negative effects. The recommended limit for pregnant and breastfeeding women is 200mg per day.
In conclusion, if you are a coffee lover, continue loving, but love within moderation. Please limit yourself to a max of 4-5 cups per day and if you can’t, then seriously think about changing to decaf once you hit that limit. So now you tell me, what’s your favorite café here in Qatar?
* The author is a wellness advocate and influencer @keys2balance.
Reem Abdulrahman Jassim al-Muftah
