The Insane Health Benefits of Decaf Coffee

Both regular and decaf have similar antioxidant levels that help reduce rate of all-cause mortality, aging, and risk of cancer. Decaf activates the same protective Nrf2 pathway and NQO1 antioxidant enzymes as regular coffee—the benefits come from polyphenols, not caffeine.

Weight Watchers counts decaf coffee as equivalent to 1 water. Unlike regular coffee, decaf is not a diuretic—it won't make you urinate more.

The lower levels of acidity in decaf mean you're less likely to experience stomach problems like heartburn and indigestion.

Decaf coffee can still have a mild laxative effect, though not as strong as caffeinated coffee (regular coffee's effect was 23% stronger).

Low-caff coffee is a great distraction from snacking. The chlorogenic acids cause gradual release of glucose, reducing production of new fat cells. High levels of Vitamin B-3 boost metabolism.

All the adverse side effects of regular coffee—higher blood pressure, restlessness, anxiety, palpitations—are avoided with decaf.

Decaf coffee contains chlorogenic acids and phenylindanes that prevent beta-amyloid and tau proteins from clumping—the hallmarks of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. Studies show dark roast decaf has identical neuroprotective potency to regular coffee. The effect comes from the coffee compounds, not caffeine.

Caffeine increases the body's stress hormone (cortisol). Switching to decaf removes this constant source of stress on your nervous system.

Sleep is the golden chain that binds our health and body together. Caffeine messes with your ability to fall asleep and your quality of sleep—decaf doesn't.

When you drink caffeine in the 2nd half of your cycle, it gives your liver more work to do and can lead to PMS symptoms like mood changes and cramps.

Surprisingly, decaffeinated coffee has been shown to increase alertness when compared to placebo. You get the ritual and some of the benefit without the downsides.