If you’re like me, then coffee is a part of your daily routine. You drink it at home, in the office, and on the go with no problem. Have you ever wondered if there’s a difference between decaf coffee and regular coffee? There are actually quite a few differences that could impact your health!
In this article, we will discuss one of the biggest differences between decaf coffee and regular coffee – acidity.
Is Decaf Coffee Less Acidic Than Regular Coffee?
Regular copy is more acidic than decaf coffee. The roasting process of coffee beans creates a chemical called chlorogenic acid that is a natural detoxifier and antioxidant. Decaffeination removes the caffeine, but it also changes the flavor and composition of the bean’s chemicals including removing most of its antioxidants.
Decaffeinated coffee is made by soaking green, unroasted beans in water and a solvent for 12 to 16 hours. After that time period, the solvents are usually removed from the beans before drying them out. The process of removing caffeine may also remove some acidity as well.
The longer decaf coffee sits, after it’s been brewed or otherwise prepared, the more acidic it will become because certain acids can leech out of roasted coffee beans over time (think about how dark roast coffees get an even darker flavor with age).
Decaf doesn’t have this problem because there isn’t any caffeine left after extraction so whatever happens when sitting around on your kitchen counter won’t happen again with decaffeinated coffee.
Is Decaf Coffee Better For Acid Reflux?
Decaf coffee is a popular choice for many people who want to drink less caffeine but it’s not necessarily the better option when it comes to acid reflux.
In fact, decaffeinated coffee may even cause stomach irritation, because of its higher levels of acids that are released over time and any remaining solvents which can stay in your system longer if you don’t finish off an entire cup at once.
However, there have been studies that show some types of coffees with lower acidity like dark roasts or instant grinds could be beneficial as well.
But if we will compare it to a regular coffee, it can help in reducing the acid levels of your stomach, which is a good way to reduce the chances for reflux.
Can Decaffeinated Coffee Cause Acid Reflux?
In short, no. Decaffeinated coffee is not more likely to cause acid reflux than regular coffee.
The reason for that is that the process by which coffee beans are decaffeinated removes 98% of the caffeine, and thus many of the stomach-irritating chemicals that cause acid reflux.
Decafs have chemical compounds in them called cafestol and kahweol that can irritate your digestive tract, but they’re found only in roasted coffee.
Does Decaf Coffee Cause Less Heartburn?
Decaf coffee causes less heartburn because it has a lower acid content than regular coffee. Usually, the acid may cause heartburn because it irritates the stomach lining.
The jury is still out on this one – some people say decaffeinated coffee can cause more heartburn for them, while others claim they have no problems with decaf at all! Coffee drinkers are the only ones who would
Decaf coffee doesn’t contain caffeine, which may cause heartburn in certain people. If you’ve noticed a correlation between your decaffeinated coffees and the acid reflux or heartburn symptoms then it would be worth trying to switch back to regular brewed coffee before making any more costly dietary changes.
If you’re not already drinking caffeinated coffee because of other health reasons, then there’s no need to worry about that aspect either.
Decaf coffee still has acid, but less than regular coffee. If you’re susceptible to heartburn and want a morning pick-me-up without the burn, try decaffeinated brews or black tea. You’ll also get more antioxidants from these drinks instead of caffeine. It’s worth experimenting with different types until you find one that suits your taste buds best!