Did you know decaf coffee has caffeine removed with a chemical?

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   Jackie Lynnleyposted 10 years ago

   Did you know decaf coffee has caffeine removed with a chemical?
   
   Hm...neither did I. I think I will just take my chances with a weaker cup from now on, how about you?
   
   

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   John MacNabposted 10 years ago

   No, I didn't know that Jackie.    Is the chemical left in the coffee or is it filtered out?   If it's left in, I'll go back to 'real' coffee.

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      Jackie Lynnleyposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Even real can raise cholesterol but I wouldn't worry drinking a reasonable amount myself. But then I don't drink it every day, especially since I know how good all teas are for you; even black.

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   sheilamyersposted 10 years ago

   I didn't know that. I always wondered how they did it though.

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      Jackie Lynnleyposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Wow me too, I just found out. I thought it was like cutting something out, not putting something in! Note my insert though, no room here for all of it.

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   Jackie Lynnleyposted 10 years ago

   I found this and not room to put in a reply so hope everyone catches it! I think who really knows what they put in there. I had an aunt that worked in a coffee place for years and she would not touch it but never revealed why but obviously from things she saw or knew.
   
   All types of coffee drinks, including decaf coffee, contain two natural chemicals -- kahweol and cafestol -- which can raise your cholesterol. When you prepare regular caffeinated coffee using a paper filter, most of the kahweol and cafestol is filtered away and does not find its way into your cup of coffee. However, decaf can raise cholesterol levels even if it is prepared using a paper filter, reports the Harvard Family Health Guide. The exact reasons why decaf raises cholesterol are largely unknown but likely involve the chemical processes by which coffee is decaffeinated. The cholesterol-raising properties of decaf may also be a result of the types of beans used to make decaf coffee versus regular coffee, according to a report by New Scientist. Decaf coffee is made using Robusta beans, which may contain very high levels of kahweol and cafestol compared to Arabica beans used to make regular coffee varieties.

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   brakel2posted 10 years ago

   I don't know about coffee, but my decaf green tea says caffeine is removed with special process that preserves the benefits. I hope it is true. Maybe certain coffees are better with removal than others. Nobody wants extra chemicals in the body. We have enough already.

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      Jackie Lynnleyposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Oh no! Don't tell me they are messing with the tea!

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   Alastar Packerposted 10 years ago

   Yep. And the caffeine in many soft drinks and power drinks is artificial and synthesized in China. China White is what it's called - and that ain't the heroin, either. Organic Arabica beans or organic de-caf are the way to go IMHO.

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      Jackie Lynnleyposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      From China, you are kidding me? What in the world is that about? Couldn't we just be killed by our own government and workers? At least it would benefit the country wouldn't it? lol

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      Alastar Packerposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Ah haha Jackie, spot on you are! It's good to know paper filters keep most of the cholesterol causing stuff out.

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      Jackie Lynnleyposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      That could be true, actually that is how I purify my own water (through a coffee maker)  since none of that can be trusted either. lol

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   purl3agonyposted 10 years ago

   When I was in high school (many, many years ago), I wrote a paper on the decaffeination process of coffee.  The caffeine is part of a coating on the coffee bean that can be washed or stripped off.  At that time anyway, coffee was decaffeinated using one of two different processes: one washing the beans with chemicals, and the other that washed the coffee beans many times just using water (called "naturally decaffeinated").  I don't remember many of the details, but the process that used just water was more expensive, therefore the naturally decaffeinated coffee was more expensive.

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      Jackie Lynnleyposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      I imagine so but then who can you trust when we find out time & time again what we think we are getting we are not? I think from now on I will only drink an occasional cup & then caffeinated but light. Isn't it terrible we never even know for

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      Alastar Packerposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Hey Jackie, there's a superb new book out by Murray Carpenter called "Caffeinated." It's worth the bargain Amazon price or your library.

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      Jackie Lynnleyposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks Alastar! I will check it out. I gave up caffeine a few years ago, had no idea I might be doing myself more harm! sheeeee

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   duffsmomposted 10 years ago

   Yes, I did know that, but as I rarely drink coffee of either variety, I haven't paid much attention to it.

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      wabash annieposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      I sure learned a lot from your question and the responses!  Actually, I never drink decaf anything ... so obviously I want the caffeine.  Regarding colas, I stopped drinking these when aspartame was added to diet and then corn syrup.

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   Sushma Webberposted 10 years ago

   Thanks Jackie and everyone who has written answers to this question. I thought I was doing a good thing by having decaf coffee. Might be better to give up coffee altogether or have it only occasionally. I had no idea decaf coffee raised cholesterol. I am glad I spotted this question.

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    teaches12345posted 10 years ago

    I can't have caffeine, but I love coffee.  Drinking decaf satisfies my craving and it is the one error I  have in eating healthy.  As you say, having it weak is at least better than nothing.

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       Jackie Lynnleyposted 10 years agoin reply to this

       Please beware Dianna; even decaf has caffeine but I know what you probably mean. Caffeine has a really bad affect on me that I don't know I could even explain when I get too much and it has nothing to do with staying awake.

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