Most of us cannot fathom a day without our cup of coffee. It is a staple beverage item with breakfast. But worrying about maintaining appropriate levels of caffeine, many people ought to switch to decaf coffee. But what about the risks that come with decaf coffee? Does decaf coffee dehydrate you?
No, decaf coffee does not cause dehydration. Decaffeinated drinks are another addition to your daily fluid intake and do not cause dehydration. The reason your mouth feels dry when you drink it is that the tannins found in both tea and coffee bind to your saliva and temporarily stop its production.
Of course, most of us drink coffee as it is a popular stimulant, but there is more to coffee than just the caffeine kick.
What Is Decaf Coffee?
A major reason why people drink coffee is for caffeine, a psychoactive substance that helps you stay alert and aids performance but keeping the amount of caffeine in check is very important. This is where decaf coffee comes in.
Decaf is an abbreviation for decaffeinated coffee, which is coffee made from coffee beans that have had at least 97% of its caffeine removed.
There are four different ways to decaf coffee beans. All methods of decaffeination processes use water, as caffeine is a water-soluble substance. Other agents are also used, such as carbon dioxide and activated charcoal.
Is Decaf Coffee Healthier Than Regular Coffee?
The decaffeinating process itself is organic as no artificial chemicals or flavoring compounds are used. Still, other factors, such as handling, packaging, roasting, and other processing methods, must be considered to know if the coffee can be called organic.
Apart from the caffeine content, the nutritional value of decaf coffee should be fairly similar to that of regular coffee. However, depending on the method used for decaffeinating the beans, the taste and smell may become milder, and the color may change.
Is There A Link Between Hydration And Coffee
Caffeine is better known for its effect on the brain but studies show that it has an effect on the kidneys as well. Caffeinated drinks like coffee are known to be mild diuretics, which means they make the body produce more urine than normal. It does so by increasing blood flow to your kidneys, causing them to excrete more water through urine.
Though decaffeinated coffee does not dehydrate you because it contains less caffeine, much research shows that it does alleviate your thirst. The tannins in coffee, which give it a dark coloring, end up drying your mouth out, and you may feel thirstier as a result.
In essence, a cup of decaf coffee each day is unlikely to affect your hydration but it is not a substitute for water and would not fulfill your daily water requirement.
What Are The Signs Of Dehydration To Look Out For
There are symptoms that you can be careful about if you are worried about being dehydrated. Many people, particularly older adults, don’t feel thirsty until they’re already dehydrated. Be on the lookout for these symptoms; Dry mouth or tongue, dark-colored urine,
dizziness and fatigue.
Untreated dehydration can cause heat exhaustion, heat cramps, heatstroke, seizures due to electrolyte loss, low blood volume, kidney failure, and coma.
Advantages Of Decal Coffee
It Reduces The Risk Of Diabetes
Recent studies have shown that decaf coffee may lower the chance of acquiring Type 2 diabetes. The antioxidants in decaf coffee aid in the neutralization of free radicals. This lowers oxidative damage and can help prevent diseases like Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. Decaf coffee also has magnesium, which protects against diabetes.
It Helps With Detoxification
Decaf coffee includes vitamin B-3, which helps to cleanse your system. It is effective at combating free radicals and foreign elements created by stress and anxiety.
It Improves Memory
Decaffeinated coffee includes polyphenols, which have been shown to improve cognitive performance and alertness. These polyphenols have also been linked to a reduction in cognitive issues such as early-onset dementia.
Side Effects Of Decaf Coffee
It May Cause Heart Problems
According to certain studies, decaffeinated coffee may be damaging to the heart by increasing the levels of specific cholesterol in the blood. Because of its stronger flavor, caffeine-free coffee is frequently extracted from the Robusta bean rather than the more popular Arabica bean.
Robusta beans have a larger fat content than their counterpart. It can cause an increase in harmful LDL cholesterol by increasing a specific type of blood fat linked to metabolic syndrome.
It Can Cause Gastrointestinal Issues
Coffee contains substances that trigger your stomach to overproduce acid. The hormone gastrin was stimulated by decaffeinated coffee and gastrin stimulates the production of stomach acid. Research has shown that caffeine makes the colon 60% more active than water and 23% more active than decaf coffee.
If you take too much decaf coffee, you may get gastrointestinal problems that can result in heartburn, ulcers, and gastroesophageal reflux disease, which can lead to esophageal cancer.
It Stimulates The Nervous System
Decaf coffee raises blood pressure, heart rate, and sympathetic nerve activity, which can lead to tremors or jitters and shaking of hands. Decaf coffee also caused an increase in pressure within the eye by increasing intraocular pressure which enhances the risk of glaucoma.
It Interferes With The Absorption Of Iron
Decaffeinated coffee can hinder the absorption of minerals in the body, especially iron.
Chlorogenic acid, which is also included in decaffeinated coffee, decreases your body’s capacity to absorb iron from the diet. Coffee use, particularly decaf, has been found to promote calcium, zinc, and magnesium loss.
Conclusion
The point is that, while coffee does have a moderate diuretic effect, the amount of your urine does not exceed the amount you consume, so there is no risk of dehydration that would from drinking decaf coffee.
Enjoy your cup without worry but remember to keep it in moderation as there are risks associated with excessive consumption.
