Decaf Coffee and Blood Pressure: Everything You Need to Know

Many people choose decaf coffee over regular coffee as a way to decrease their caffeine intake and improve their sleep.

Decaf is a great alternative to regular coffee as it allows people to enjoy multiple cups of coffee without affecting their sleep quality or causing caffeine-related side effects such as jitters, anxiety, or an increased heart rate.

But, does decaf coffee raise blood pressureor is it a safer alternative to regular coffee? Read our article to find out!

 

What is Decaf Coffee?

Decaf coffee refers to coffee that has had most of its caffeine removed. It is important to bear in mind that decaf coffee is not entirely caffeine-free.

Instead, the decaffeination process removes around 97% of the caffeine. So, if you are sensitive to caffeine or have a caffeine allergy, then it’s best to avoid coffee altogether.

Although decaf coffee isn’t completely caffeine-free, it can be a better choice for those looking to reduce their caffeine intake.

The Impact of Decaf Coffee on Blood Pressure

Many people choose decaf over regular for the health benefits and lower caffeine content, but is it better for your blood pressure?

Back in 1989 scientists from Switzerland conducted a 12-week randomised, double-blind crossover trial to investigate the effects of decaf coffee vs regular coffee on your blood pressure.

This trial involved 45 healthy volunteers who were non-smokers, aged 25-45 and drank 4-6 coffee daily. During this trial, scientists discovered the following:

• Replacing regular coffee with decaf coffee led to a slight decrease in the subject’s blood pressure.
• Systolic blood pressure dropped by 1.5mm Hg and diastolic blood pressure dropped by 1.0mm Hg when participants consumed decaf coffee in place of regular coffee.
• There was a slight increase in heart rate of 1.3 beats per minute with decaf coffee consumption.

Overall, this study found that decaf coffee may have a small, temporary effect on your blood pressure, potentially causing a slight decrease in some people. However, its impact is generally minimal.

However, it is important to note that decaf coffee can raise your blood pressure if you aren’t used to drinking coffee. If you consume coffee regularly, then your blood pressure shouldn’t be affected too much.

So, if you are worried about the impact decaf coffee can have on your blood pressure, don’t! However, it is important to remember that you mustn't consume more than 400mg (up to 4 cups) of coffee per day.

 

What Are the Benefits of Decaf Coffee?

There are many benefits to drinking decaf coffee, such as:

• Improved sleep: Decaf coffee can help improve sleep quality as it doesn't contain caffeine.
• Reduced stress: The lower caffeine content in decaf coffee can help reduce stress and anxiety levels.
• High in antioxidants: Like regular coffee, decaf coffee is rich in antioxidants that help protect your cells from damage.
• Reduced risk of heart conditions: Studies suggest that decaf coffee may reduce the risk of heart disease.
• Reduced risk of type 2 diabetes: Some research indicates that drinking decaf coffee may lower the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
• Improved mood: The compounds in decaf coffee may help elevate mood and promote relaxation.

Did you know that a high caffeine consumption can negatively impact your bladder?This is another reason why people switch to decaf coffee in place of regular coffee.

Decaf is a great alternative, as it allows you to enjoy a coffee in the morning or at night without suffering from unwanted side effects.

Decaf Coffee at Crosby Coffee

Here at Crosby Coffee, we offer a wide range of coffee blends including decaf coffee. Some of our decaf coffee blends include Tabi Decaf and Decaf Planadas.

Our whole bean decaf coffees are washed and undergo a sugarcane E.A decaffeination process (a natural method that preserves the integrity of the green coffee beans).

If you're looking to explore different decaf options, consider our Decaf Project Coffee Kit in collaboration with James Hoffmann, which showcases a wide range of decaffeination methods and flavours! We offer high-quality coffee beans at a great price. Try our decaf coffee today!