The beauty of being a coffee drinker is that you can have it any way you want. Whether you’re in the mood for something sweet or something with a certain richness in every sip, there’s no end to the possibilities. Even those who want to limit their caffeine intake have options. In fact, decaf is quickly becoming a core part of a lot of diets across the globe. Though this variant has a reputation for its ineffectiveness and bland taste, this couldn’t be further from the truth. These are some reasons why you might choose to drink decaf coffee and what benefits it could bring to your life.

The Extra Nutrients

It’s a common misconception that caffeine is the most important substance in coffee. But, even when you remove most of this chemical, there are still several other nutrients and antioxidants to ingest. Hydrocinnamic acids and polyphenols are both antioxidants that help neutralize free radicals and protect our cells from premature deterioration. Believe it or not, coffee is one of the largest contributors of these essential vitamins, so even decaf can make a large impact on your overall diet.

Protecting Your Health

This beverage is also a great way to protect your health due to the natural antioxidants in coffee beans. Free radical damage your cells, and cell loss can lead to any number of diseases and conditions, such as cardiovascular illness and type two diabetes. So by drinking decaf, you’re helping to retain these cells and slow the onset of devastating conditions later in life. It’s important to note that while the decaffeination process removes some of the bean’s natural nutrient supply, drinking decaf can still give you an advantage when monitoring your health.

Getting Better Sleep

You may want to switch to decaf if you’re looking to get better sleep at night. We all know caffeine as the chemical that stimulates the brain and gives us that boost of energy we need to wake up in the morning. However, because of this, standard coffee can also influence our ability to fall asleep when we drink it past a certain hour. Decaf contains only a small fraction of the bean’s original caffeine concentration; therefore, it will have less of an effect on your brain during those later hours. So if you want that rich coffee taste without insomnia, decaf is perfect.

Reduced Acid Intake

Millions of individuals love standard coffee for the unique acidity it brings to the palate. Unfortunately, though, not everyone can handle this level of acid in their stomachs. For many coffee drinkers, standard brews can irritate their stomachs after a few hours, causing them to experience nausea, acid reflux, and even heartburn. Additionally, some people don’t like the taste of these highly acidic drinks. The decaffeination process helps remove some of this body along with the caffeine, making it more palatable for those with sensitive digestive systems.

Lowers Cholesterol

We covered what decaf can do to the free radicals in your body, but the health benefits don’t end there. This drink also has a link to lowered cholesterol levels and better overall heart health. Decaf coffee, in particular, has high amounts of a natural antioxidant called chlorogenic acid that boosts metabolism and reduces how much fat sits in the liver. As a result, you could experience lower cholesterol levels at your yearly check-up and maintain the health of your cardiovascular system.

Fewer Calories

Decaf has significantly fewer calories as well, especially when you avoid additives like sugar and creamer. Regular coffee can have close to 100 calories in a standard cup, while decaf only has around 10. If you drink coffee throughout the day, this can have a major effect on your diet and overall weight. Because of this, it’s a wonderful option for those wanting to cut back on their calorie intake and help preserve their weight.

Stress Management

Another reason why you might choose to drink decaf coffee is for your mental health. As mentioned before, caffeine stimulates the brain and provides us with energy. But this can also have a downside in the form of overactive thinking. Many individuals find their minds racing after consuming large amounts of standard coffee, and this can contribute to overthinking, stress, and anxiety. Decaf can help prevent these bouts of spiral thinking by keeping your mind balanced and focused on what’s in front of you. With less anxiety about certain tasks, you can regulate your stress and relax once you finish the work day.

Pre and Post Pregnancy

For those who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, it’s important to monitor their overall caffeine intake. After all, large quantities of caffeine might be fine for you to consume, but it isn’t as safe for developing infants in the womb. Decaf is a wonderful way to still get all the coffee flavors you love without ingesting too much caffeine. Because decaf also has key vitamins and antioxidants, it can help you maintain your diet throughout all stages of your pregnancy. Best of all, you don’t need to monitor how much you drink because of how little caffeine is in it.

The Milder Taste

Caffeine might have a slightly milder taste than standard coffee, but many people prefer it that way. Not everyone is a fan of bold, robust flavors, and decaf is the perfect middle-ground for those who want something tamer. Decaf can take on light fruity or nutty flavors, making it great for satisfying your sweet tooth. With the more subtle notes of decaf, you can pair it with a larger range of foods during supper or dessert. You can enjoy it in any way you want, whenever you want.

There’s a lot to love about drinking decaf coffee. It accommodates a series of different personal needs, and it’s the perfect compromise between your health and the coffee-drinking experience. That’s why at 11th Street Coffee, we ensure that we always have a diverse selection of Keurig decaf coffee pods in stock. We carry these K-cups in a series of different flavors and offer options from only the best brands. So we guarantee you’ll have a satisfying, flavorful cup—even without the caffeine.