Nowadays, many people are leaning towards drinking decaf coffee, which is coffee with the caffeine removed. However, this choice harbors numerous health risks.
After water, coffee is the most consumed beverage in the world, with an estimated consumption of around 2.6 billion cups of coffee per day.
Many of us consider coffee a daily beverage, aiming to enhance our body’s antioxidant capacity.
However, some individuals prefer their coffee without caffeine, turning to an increasingly popular alternative: decaf coffee – a beverage that has had the caffeine removed from the coffee beans.
Behind this seemingly ideal solution lies the fact that the caffeine extraction process poses significant health risks for consumers.
Coffee is a popular beverage among many Vietnamese. (Illustrative photo: Futura science).
The Excitement in Coffee Beans
Drinking coffee every day offers many benefits, particularly in stimulating the nervous system through a compound found in coffee beans called caffeine.
The amount of caffeine varies depending on the type of coffee bean.
If we consume excessive amounts of this compound through coffee, it can lead to sensations such as rapid heartbeat, jitters, restlessness, anxiety, and sleep disturbances.
This is why more people enjoy coffee but wish to switch to decaf while still retaining its aroma.
Caffeine Extraction and Cancer Risk
The decaffeination process occurs with green coffee beans, meaning the beans have not undergone roasting.
There are various methods to remove caffeine from coffee beans, most of which utilize solvents due to their lower costs.
This is typically done by soaking the coffee beans in methylene chloride or ethyl acetate, both of which bond with caffeine and remove it from the beans.
Another method involves soaking the coffee beans in hot water, which is then processed separately to remove caffeine, and finally, the beans are returned to restore their aroma.
According to the National Institute for Research and Safety in Occupational Accident Prevention (INRS) in France, in both methods mentioned above, manufacturers must use chemical agents that have cleaning and dissolving properties.
For instance, methylene chloride is a potent chemical found in paint strippers. When ingested, methylene chloride can harm the heart and liver and even affect reproductive health.
Notably, these chemicals can potentially be carcinogenic, despite their residues being minimal.
Currently, there are no regulations requiring roasters or grinders to clearly disclose the decaffeination process for their decaf coffee products. Therefore, we cannot ascertain whether the beverage has been affected by solvents.
Scientists recommend that consumers should opt for pure coffee – without caffeine removal – or if they wish to enjoy decaf, they need to thoroughly investigate whether the caffeine extraction process is safe to ensure their health and that of the community.
A coffee bean contains between 1 to 4% caffeine, depending on the type. With current extraction processes, this rate is reduced to about 0.1% after decaffeination. Hence, decaf coffee cannot completely eliminate caffeine.
It is important to note that coffee is not the only beverage containing caffeine: tea, cocoa, and Yerba Maté all contain certain amounts of caffeine as well.
