Are caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee the same? While it may be down to preference whether you reach for the caffeinated or decaffeinated coffee, research suggests that caffeine provides a variety of health benefits, when consumed in moderation.
Benefits Of Caffeine: Consuming moderate levels of caffeine every day results in a boost of energy, as well as boosting calorie burn, reduces fatigue, improves alertness and mental performance, enhances physical performance, improves the ability to solve problems and increases
concentration, as well as boosting the overall function of the brain (The Journal of Nutrition).
Drawbacks Of Caffeine: Too much caffeine can elevate heart rate, depression, anxiety, nausea, difficulty sleeping, and increased urination.
How Much Caffeine Is Safe? However, as stated above the USDA suggests that up to 5 cups of coffee daily is acceptable. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, then you may want to have a discussion with your doctor about how much caffeine is acceptable. The American Pregnancy Association suggests that you should keep your caffeine intake low or have none during pregnancy.
So which coffee is Better? The choice is yours; however, many of the studies cited are based on caffeinated coffee beverages. This is, of course, because decaffeinated coffee goes through an entirely different process. Caffeine naturally occurs in coffee beans, so steps have to be taken to
remove them.
You may want to consider slipping in a decaf coffee if you’re partial to a coffee in the evenings or if you are prone to heartburn, anxiety, depression, stress, irregular heartbeats, sleep issues, or chronic headaches.
If your doctor has told you to avoid caffeine because of medications you are taking, or certain medical conditions, then decaf is an excellent choice. The same can be said for women who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or trying for a baby.
Therefore, while some studies have shown there are health benefits to choosing decaf, many studies are based on caffeinated coffee.
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