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Caffeine Concerns - Should I Choose Decaf?

Niharikka Budhwani | Answer |Ask -Follow

Dietician, Lifestyle, Nutrition Expert - Answered on Dec 02, 2024

Niharikka Budhwani is a registered dietician and the co-founder of Health Hatch, a wellness company.
She specialises in lifestyle management and has been guiding individuals of all ages about lifestyle-related health disorders including diabetes and obesity.
She is the author of Defeat Diabetes, a guide for diabetics in India, and Winning Over PCOS.
Niharikka has also contributed to publications like the Indian Breakfast Guide and SugarPedia and has shared case studies in the Indian Diabetes Educator Journal.
During the pandemic, she collaborated with the government of Odisha to design COVID-19 nutrition plans.
She has also volunteered as a dietician at the Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon and supported the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai’s (MCGM) HALT Diabetes initiative. She has also created healthy, easy-to-make recipes that have been featured in the MCGM’s Your Family Guide To Healthy Eating And Living.
Niharrika holds a bachelor's degree in food nutrition and dietetics, a post-graduate degree in clinical nutrition with a specialisation in diabetes and cardiac care from SVT College, Mumbai, and an MD in alternative medicine and medical systems from the Indian Board of Alternative Medicine.... more

Asked by Anonymous - Dec 02, 2024Hindi

Hello, lot I have heard about decaf coffee, so please asking 2 question - What potential health benefits are associated with drinking decaf coffee, particularly regarding diabetes, heart health, and mental well-being? How does individual tolerance to caffeine influence the choice between regular and decaf coffee for maintaining overall health?

Ans: Hello,

Decaf coffee contains significantly lower caffeine compared to regular coffee. However decaf coffee retains antioxidants and certain bioactive compounds that are beneficial for health. For Diabete, both decaf and regular coffee have shown to improve glucose metabolism. However when it comes to heart health, decaf can be a better choice. Since caffeine is known to spike blood pressure. If you are sensitive to caffeine, which means you experience jitters, anxiety after consumption, then decaf is a gentle alternative.

The choice depends on the following:
Caffeine sensitivity: if you experience anxiety, palpitations, restlessness, sleep disturbances, etc. after consuming regular coffee. In such case, decaf can be a better alternative.

Specific conditions: high blood pressure, irregular heart beats (arrhythmia), insomnia, acidity, etc. then a decaf would be a better choice.

To conclude, both decaf and regular coffee offer health benefits but to choose wisely basis the points suggested above. Decaf coffee allows individuals to enjoy coffee’s antioxidant and disease-fighting properties with less risk of caffeine-related side effects.

DISCLAIMER: The answer provided by rediffGURUS is for informational and general awareness purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical diagnosis or treatment.