Facts about decaf coffee
Independent scientific evidence shows that drinking decaffeinated coffee, like all types of coffee, is associated with many unique health benefits, including increased life expectancy and reduced risk of many cancers and chronic diseases.
More than 90% of coffee drinkers in the United States prefer caffeinated coffee, but decaf is a great option for those who want the taste of coffee and the social connections associated with drinking it without the stimulating effects of caffeine.
How is caffeine removed from coffee?
Like regular coffee, decaffeinated coffee starts out as green, unroasted beans. To dissolve and remove the caffeine, the solid beans are heated and steeped in liquid in one of four ways - the most common is the European method.
All decaffeination methods rely on chemistry to extract the caffeine naturally present in coffee beans, and they are all equally safe. Once the caffeine (at least 97%) has been removed, the beans are washed, steamed, and roasted at very high temperatures, which evaporates all or most of the liquid used in the decaffeination process.
How much caffeine is in decaf coffee?
Decaffeination reduces about 97% or more of the caffeine in coffee beans. A cup of decaffeinated coffee typically contains about 2 mg of caffeine, compared to a cup of regular coffee that contains about 95 mg of caffeine.
Is decaffeinated coffee safe? Are there any health risks from the decaffeination process?
All decaffeination methods rely on chemistry to extract caffeine naturally from coffee beans, and all of these methods are recognized as safe by food safety regulators in the United States, Europe, and around the world. Like all types of coffee, decaffeinated coffee is considered safe to consume and can be part of a healthy diet.
Regardless of the decaffeination process used, once the caffeine (at least 97%) is removed, the coffee beans are washed, steamed, and roasted at temperatures that cause the liquids used to evaporate.
For the most common decaffeination method—the European decaffeination method—the FDA has set a strict standard of 10 parts per million (equivalent to 10 drops of water in 10 gallons) for any traces of methylene chloride, and has asserted that the risks to consumers from drinking decaffeinated coffee using the European method are “essentially nonexistent.”
Is decaffeinated coffee healthy?
Independent scientific evidence suggests that drinking decaffeinated coffee, like all types of coffee, is associated with many significant health benefits, including increased life expectancy and a reduced risk of many types of cancer.
A large, well-designed study using data from the UK Biobank found that drinking 3 cups of any type of coffee per day was associated with a 12% lower overall mortality rate, and noted that “similar associations were observed for instant, ground, and decaffeinated coffee.”
Many health authorities have confirmed evidence that drinking coffee - both decaffeinated and regular - is associated with significant health benefits:
● In 2016, the World Health Organization's International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified coffee drinking in the lowest risk category, determining that coffee is not likely to cause cancer and may provide protection against some types of cancer.
● A California science agency concluded that "a very large number of human studies, taken together, show insufficient evidence that drinking coffee causes cancer. Drinking coffee even appears to reduce the risk of liver cancer and endometrial cancer."
● In 2020, the American Cancer Society updated its dietary guidelines for cancer prevention and concluded that coffee reduces the risk of skin, mouth, and throat cancer, and may reduce the risk of liver and endometrial cancer.
● The American Institute for Cancer Research recommends consuming coffee "on a regular basis."
● The World Cancer Research Foundation says, “There is strong evidence that coffee reduces the risk of liver cancer and endometrial cancer. There is also some evidence that coffee reduces the risk of cancers of the mouth, pharynx, larynx, and skin.”
How much caffeine is too much?
Regulators and health authorities in the United States and around the world have concluded that moderate caffeine intake can be part of a healthy diet for most adults—typically up to 400 mg per day, which is about 4-5 cups of coffee. Guidelines may vary for people with certain medical conditions.
When considering how much caffeine you consume, remember that caffeine is found not only in coffee but also in other foods and beverages, so all possible sources should be considered. The effects of caffeine vary from person to person, so everyone should review health recommendations from recognized authorities, listen to how their body responds to caffeine, and consult their personal physician if they have any questions.