Decaf teas are a great choice for those who want to enjoy their favourite brew without the caffeine. Caffeine can induce jitters or insomnia and many tea lovers have a sensitivity to this stimulant.
All teas contain some amount of caffeine – black teas have the most at around 75mg, green teas at 30mg and herbal infusions at 2mg. The way a tea is decaffeinated will affect the caffeine content.
1. Lowers Risk of Cancer
Tea leaves naturally contain caffeine, which can have some adverse side effects. It can boost heart rates, cause headaches and give you jitters. It can also interfere with sleep, reduce collagen synthesis and increase anxiety. This is why some people choose to drink decaf tea.
All true teas, such as black, green, yellow, oolong and white, contain some form of caffeine. The amount of caffeine in a cup depends on where and how the tea is grown, as well as how it is prepared.
To be considered decaf, a tea must undergo a process to reduce its naturally-occurring caffeine content to at least 2.5% of its original level. To achieve this, the leaves must be soaked in a chemical solvent that will bind to the caffeine molecules. The most common solvents are methylene chloride and ethyl acetate. Methylene chloride is a dangerous carcinogen that can be found in household cleaners, paint strippers and nail polish removers. Ethyl acetate is a common solvent used in the cosmetics, pest control and food industries, but it can be absorbed through the skin.
2. Lowers Risk of Heart Disease
Tea is naturally rich in antioxidants, especially polyphenols. Polyphenols have been shown to help lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. They are also known to promote healthy cholesterol levels and help prevent inflammatory conditions.
Although most tea drinkers are looking to reduce their caffeine intake for health reasons, consuming moderate amounts of caffeinated tea and coffee are associated with positive outcomes such as a good night’s sleep, improved mood, more energy and better cognitive function. For this reason, many tea drinkers choose to switch to decaf to maintain the positive effects of tea without the downsides of too much caffeine.
The CO2 method is a popular choice for decaffeinating tea because it does not use any chemicals that could be harmful to the tea or to the consumer. In this method, the leaves are soaked in hot water, which removes the caffeine molecules while leaving behind flavors and oils. The leaves are then resoaked in the same water, which adds back any lost flavor. This is a common option for decaf tea bags and instant teas, but it is less effective when it comes to loose leaf tea.
3. Lowers Risk of Diabetes
In its natural state, tea leaves don’t contain any caffeine. However, some teas that contain caffeine from other sources such as cacao (chocolate), yerba mate, guarana and kola nut do have some. To be considered decaf, a tea must have had the caffeine reduced to 2 mg or less.
While this is a small amount of caffeine, it can still affect people who are highly sensitive to stimulants. Similarly, pregnant women should avoid caffeine because it can lead to miscarriage or other pregnancy complications.
The good news is that drinking both regular and decaf coffee and tea significantly lowers the risk of Type 2 diabetes in adults, according to a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. This is attributed to the antioxidants found in these beverages as well as their effects on weight loss and physical activity. It is also believed that the caffeine in these beverages can reduce blood sugar levels. Regardless, it is best to check the label on your beverage to ensure that you are consuming a safe amount of caffeine.
4. Lowers Risk of High Blood Pressure
Those with high blood pressure are typically advised to limit caffeine because it may increase the heart rate and cause dizziness, headaches, stomach irritation and insomnia. The good news is that the decaffeination process removes over 98% of the tea’s caffeine leaving only a trace amount. This 2% is not enough to keep you awake, so you can still enjoy a mug of tea or coffee in the morning or before bed.
The decaffeination process typically uses either water, ethyl acetate or methylene chloride to remove the caffeine from the leaves. The methylene chloride method is the most controversial because it is linked to cancer and birth defects. However, it is still used in many countries because it is less expensive than other methods.
Regardless of which method is used, both options will leave you with a cup of tea that offers the same nutrients as caffeinated tea without the stimulant effect. The low levels of caffeine make decaf tea an ideal choice for those who are sensitive to this substance or for expectant mothers because it can pass through the placenta and reach the baby, leading to low birth weight or miscarriage.
5. Lowers Risk of Anxiety
The caffeine in tea and coffee may activate the central nervous system, triggering a “fight or flight” response, which can lead to anxiety. This is why drinking decaf tea is a better option for those who are sensitive to stimulants.
Choosing the right decaf tea will not only lower your caffeine intake but also provide you with antioxidants and phytochemicals. To reap the most health benefits from your cup of tea, opt for organic, kosher and Fair trade certified decaf teas.
If you still want to enjoy your cup of tea but are worried about the caffeine in it, try washing your leaves before brewing them. This is a simple process that can drastically cut the amount of caffeine in your tea.
You can also try a herbal blend before bed to sleep peacefully or a cup of Darjeeling or Ceylon tea in the morning. Having a variety of different teas to choose from will help you stay on track with your healthy diet. You can also find caffeine free teas for those who are sensitive to stimulants.
