Decaffeinated tea is an ideal solution for those trying to minimize their caffeine intake. For most people, the caffeine boost they get from beverages such as coffee or tea is a routine way to kickstart the day. However, there are people who are sensitive to caffeine and others who have conditions that require a reduction in caffeine intake. This need for a refreshing beverage with minimal caffeine content creates the demand for decaf tea.
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What is Decaf Tea?
Green and black tea varieties are usually obtained from the leaves of the tea plant, Camellia Sinensis. This tea leaves from the Camellia Sinensis plant have a natural caffeine content. This means that all green tea, black tea, oolong, and white tea varieties have some caffeine content in them.
Decaffeinated tea is obtained by removing the caffeine content in tea leaves. Most decaffeinated teas tend to be green tea or black tea varieties though other types of tea can be decaffeinated as well.
It is important to note that decaffeinated tea is not the same as caffeine-free tea. Decaffeinated tea still retains trace amounts of caffeine even after the decaffeination process while on the other hand, caffeine-free teas such as chamomile tea do not contain any caffeine.
Decaffeination of tea can be done in various ways. The most common is the use of carbon dioxide in liquid form to absorb the caffeine molecules from the tea leaves. An alternative decaffeination method involves soaking tea leaves in ethyl acetate to remove the caffeine from the leaves.
Other methods for decaffeinating tea are soaking tea leaves in methylene chloride or water processing where hot water is used to extract the caffeine.
Nutrition Profile of Decaf Tea
Tea naturally contains polyphenols that have health benefits ranging from anti-inflammatory activity to reducing risks of cardiovascular disease, cancers, and neurodegenerative disorders. However, for decaf tea, the polyphenol compounds in the tea leaves are reduced during the decaffeination process.
This means that while decaffeinated tea still retains some of the health benefits of normal tea, decaffeinated tea is not as potent or nutritious as tea that has not undergone the decaffeination process.
The decaffeination process also tends to rob the tea its flavor meaning that a decaffeinated cup of tea will be weaker in flavor and have a more subtle taste profile when compared to normal tea.
Decaffeination processes such as soaking the tea leaves in methylene chloride tend to leave trace amounts of chemicals in the tea leaves. This means that decaffeinated tea processed using this method may cause accumulation of toxins in the body from the chemicals used in making the decaf tea.
Looking for brands of decaf teas that are not processed using chemical means may help you avoid potentially contaminated tea leaves with trace amounts of chemicals.
Types of Decaf Tea
Decaf teas are made by removing the caffeine content from tea leaves. This process is usually done on tea leaves obtained from the Camellia Sinensis plant. The major types of teas made from the leaves of this plant are green tea and black tea.
Therefore, most of the decaf teas you will come across will either be decaf green tea or decaf black tea. Different flavors of green and black tea can be decaffeinated. For instance, decaf jasmine green tea is quite popular.
5 Health Benefits of Decaf Tea
NO.1 Decaf Tea for Stress Management
Stress is a common feature of everyday life. When we are not able to cope effectively with stress, we end up with chronic stress which refers to extended periods of stress.
When we take caffeine, apart from the energy kick you get, caffeine activates the fight or flight responses of the nervous system leading to secretion of the stress hormones cortisol and adrenaline. The higher the levels of these stress hormones in your body, the more stressed you are going to be.
When you take decaf tea, you are only ingesting trace amounts of caffeine so your exposure to the stress boosting effects of caffeine is significantly reduced. Having a decaf tea will leave you in a relaxed mood and help you in managing stress and anxiety.
For people who are prone to stress and depressive tendencies, decaf tea is an ideal alternative to caffeinated tea or coffee.
NO.2 Decaf Tea for Cardiovascular Health
Both green and black decaffeinated tea contain flavonoids. Flavonoids are potent natural substances that are effective in lowering levels of LDL cholesterol in the body. When LDL cholesterol levels in the blood are high they can cause the build-up of plaque in arterial walls and as a result, lead to cardiovascular disorders and conditions such as stroke.
By lowering the levels of bad cholesterol green tea promotes proper cardiovascular function and reduces risk of heart disease.
Another advantage of drinking decaf tea is that when you drink beverages high in caffeine, your body is stimulated to produce adrenaline. Adrenaline increases heart rate and blood pressure exerting extra pressure on blood vessels and heart muscles in the process.
If you constantly have elevated blood pressure and heart rate, this will ultimately cause damage to the heart muscles due to the extra pressure being exerted on them.
Most people will notice that after drinking coffee they notice that their heart beats faster. This is because coffee stimulates the release of adrenaline which has the effect of increasing the heart rate. Choosing decaf tea may not give you the same energy kick that a caffeinated beverage would but in the long run your heart will be much better off.
NO.3 Decaf Tea for Diabetes
Diabetes occurs when glucose in the body is not broken down efficiently by insulin resulting in elevated blood sugar levels. When the blood sugar levels are too high, they can impair normal functions in the body leading to complications and disorders. For diabetics, managing their blood sugar levels is essential in order to avoid health complications.
Green and black decaf tea contain polyphenols which have been proven to increase insulin sensitivity in the body. Drinking decaf tea will help you in regulating your blood sugar levels by boosting the activity of insulin in the body.
NO.4 Decaf Tea is Good for your Immunity
Decaf tea has a calming and soothing effect on the body. Not only will it help in stress management but by decreasing your caffeine intake you are likely to get better quality of sleep.
Our bodies depend on our sleeping hours to renew and self-heal, therefore when you get sufficient rest, your body is better equipped to fight off infections and ward off diseases. With decaf tea, you get the best of both worlds; the health benefits of tea without the stimulatory effects of caffeine.
NO.5 Anti-inflammatory Benefits of Decaf Tea
The catechins in tea are responsible for the anti-inflammatory benefits of decaf tea. Chronic inflammation is the main cause of diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and Alzheimer’s. Decaf tea promotes the elimination of free radicals which cause oxidative stress in the body resulting in inflammation. By eliminating these free radicals, the catechins in decaf tea in effect, improve blood flow and reduce inflammation.
In cases such as rheumatoid arthritis taking decaf tea regularly can help in managing pain and swelling caused by inflammation. While decaf tea is not a substitute for medication, it is a natural remedy that can help in reducing the intensity of inflammatory conditions.
How To Make Decaf Tea
There are many varieties of decaf tea readily available in both tea bags and loose leaves in grocery shops and online shops. However, if you do not want to try the commercial decaf teas, it is also possible to decaffeinate your tea at home. Though this Do-it-Yourself process will not remove all the caffeine in your tea, it will reduce the caffeine content in the tea.
DIY Decaf Tea
- Step 1.Boil water for steeping your tea leaves.
- Step 2.Pour the boiling water over the tea leaves and allow it to steep for one minute.
- Step 3.Drain the water and discard it.
- Step 4.Add fresh hot water to the already steeped tea leaves and proceed to brew your tea as usual.
Side Effects of Decaf Tea
Decaf tea is a great alternative beverage for people who are looking to lower their caffeine intake, however, it is important to remember that decaf tea still has trace amounts of caffeine. If you are caffeine sensitive the best types of tea for you are caffeine-free teas which have no caffeine at all.
Due to the chemical process used in producing decaf tea, chemical contamination of tea leaves with trace amounts of the chemicals used for decaffeination is possible. Where possible opt for decaf teas that are processed using liquid carbon dioxide or water.
One of the downsides of the decaffeination process is that it reduces the natural components in tea such as flavonoids and antioxidants, this means that when you are taking a decaf cup of tea you are not getting the same amount of health benefits as someone taking a normal cup of tea. The flavor of decaf tea also tends to be weaker and may taste bland to people who are used to unprocessed or normal green or black tea.
Conclusion
Decaf teas bridge the gap for people who still want to have a cup of tea but do not want the effects of the caffeine content. Pregnant women, for example, are advised to reduce the caffeine in the diet and in such situations decaf tea is an ideal beverage.
Despite the processes used in decaffeination, high-quality brands are decaffeinated safely and therefore finding the right decaf tea for you should not pose a problem. Ultimately, even for people who are not ready to ditch their caffeine just yet, alternating your caffeinated beverages with decaf tea will be healthier for you in the long run.
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