Thinking about health, drinking decaffeinated... isn't it always good?

Recently, it is not difficult to see people choosing "decaffeinated coffee" when visiting cafes. Decaffeinated coffee, as the name suggests, is coffee with most of the caffeine removed, allowing people to enjoy the taste and aroma of coffee while reducing caffeine intake, which has gained a lot of popularity. However, just because it contains less caffeine does not necessarily mean it is good for health. In fact, some research results suggest that decaffeinated coffee may increase the risk of certain diseases.

Decaffeinated coffee made by brewing with water involves a decaffeination process that separates caffeine. When removing caffeine, methods such as ▲using water (Swiss Water Process), ▲using solvents (methylene chloride, ethyl acetate), and ▲using carbon dioxide are employed. Among these, the most representative method using water involves brewing coffee beans in water to extract caffeine, then separating the caffeine from the water with activated carbon, and finally drying the water and coffee beans together.

◇Decaffeinated coffee, is it truly '100%' caffeine-free? Even decaffeinated coffee may contain caffeine. According to the Korea Food and Drug Administration, domestic 'decaffeinated' products have had at least 90% of caffeine removed. Internationally, 97% removal is required for a product to be recognized as decaffeinated, and in the EU, 99% removal is necessary for it to be labeled as decaffeinated. Pregnant women, children, and adolescents, who need to significantly limit caffeine intake, should also be cautious when consuming decaffeinated coffee. Furthermore, since the caffeine removal rate varies by brand, the caffeine content in similar amounts of decaffeinated coffee can differ. If you need to drink decaffeinated coffee, it is recommended to check the caffeine content in advance.

◇High Cholesterol Levels Decaffeinated coffee is often thought to be healthy because it contains less caffeine, but there are research findings indicating it may increase the risk of certain diseases, so caution is advised. Notably, it has been reported to raise cholesterol levels. Decaffeinated coffee mainly uses the Robusta variety. During the decaffeination process, Robusta retains its aroma better than Arabica, which is why it is used to preserve the coffee's original scent. However, Robusta beans tend to have a higher fat content compared to other beans because they contain more compounds involved in fatty acid production. According to a study published by the American Heart Association in 2005, people who consumed excessive amounts of decaffeinated coffee also had higher levels of LDL cholesterol, the "bad cholesterol" that causes arteriosclerosis. Additionally, there is research indicating that drinking four or more cups of decaffeinated coffee per day increases the risk of rheumatoid arthritis compared to those who drink regular coffee (study by the University of Birmingham, Alabama, USA).

<Source: Health Chosun>