Although coffee is one of the world’s most popular drinks that provides plenty of health benefits, many of us don’t like to drink caffeinated coffee for various reasons. This leads people to wonder if decaffeinated coffee offers the same health benefits as its caffeinated counterpart — let’s take a look. 

Decaf Coffee Has Antioxidants

One of the main reasons why coffee provides so many health benefits is due to its high levels of antioxidants. Decaf coffee does contain similar amounts of antioxidants as regular coffee. Still, some research shows that they may be up to 15% lower than caffeinated coffee due to a loss during the decaffeination process. 

Decaf Coffee Reduces Diabetes Risk

Both regular and decaf coffee have been shown to reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes, with each daily cup lowering the risk by up to 7%. This indicates that aspects of coffee other than the caffeine, like the antioxidants, may be responsible for these benefits. 

Decaf Coffee Reduces Dementia Risk

Decaf coffee may have positive effects on brain health and cognition with age. In cell-based studies, decaf coffee protects brain cells called neurons, reducing the risk of dementia. Researchers think that one specific antioxidant in coffee called chlorogenic acid may account for these advantages.  

Decaf Coffee Reduces Heartburn Symptoms

Many people experience heartburn or acid reflux from drinking caffeinated coffee, which is reduced by drinking decaffeinated coffee. 

Regular Coffee Has Some Benefits Over Decaf 

Although decaf coffee does have similar health benefits as regular coffee, caffeine does provide some additional benefits over decaf. This includes improved mood, alertness, reaction time, and mental function. Caffeine may also boost metabolism and rates of fat-burning. 

The Bottom Line

Overall, decaf coffee provides plenty of health benefits, although the caffeine in regular coffee can give you an extra jolt of energy and boost mental function and metabolism.