Is it Safe to Drink Decaf Green Tea Everyday?

Decaf green tea contains small amounts of caffeine but offers many of the same health benefits as the regular brew. This brew also boasts powerful antioxidants that battle oxidative stress and can help you shed weight, per the University of Florida Diabetes Institute.

However, the decaffeination process strips the leaves of much of their antioxidant and flavanol content. Fortunately, you can find high-quality options that skip the chemicals (usually methylene chloride and ethyl acetate).

Caffeine

If you’re sensitive to caffeine, decaf tea can be a great option for your morning cuppa. However, there are different ways to decaffeinate tea, and each method can affect the flavor and nutritional content.

A common decaffeination process involves soaking tea leaves in chemical solvents such as methylene chloride, which binds to the caffeine molecules and removes them from the leaf. However, this also strips the leaves of important vitamins and minerals and can leave behind a chemical residue.

Another common method for decaffeinating tea uses carbon dioxide, which can be a more natural option that doesn’t strip the tea of its essential nutrients. This process requires a high degree of pressure to force the carbon dioxide through the leaves and out the other end, where it’s collected. While it’s still a fairly expensive process, it is considered safe and one of the best methods for preserving the taste and quality of tea.

For the most nutritious and healthiest cup of green tea, look for brands that use this method. Also, be sure to store your decaf tea in a dark, cool place to help maintain its freshness and nutritional content. Light, heat and moisture can accelerate the deterioration of your tea. To keep your decaf tea as fresh as possible, avoid using tins that are already open, as this will allow oxygen to enter the tin and cause it to spoil faster.

Antioxidants

Antioxidants, found mainly in fruits and vegetables, fight free radicals, molecules that weaken the body's cells. These molecules are generated in the body during exercise, digestion and normal metabolism and also from environmental pollutants and chemicals. They are also linked to aging, heart disease and certain cancers.

A balance between free radicals and antioxidants is required for proper physiological function but if the levels of pro-oxidants (free radicals) overwhelm the body's natural ability to regulate them, a condition called "oxidative stress" can occur. This is when free radicals adversely alter lipids, proteins and DNA. These alterations can cause a variety of diseases like cancer, arthritis and Parkinson's disease.

The search for effective, nontoxic, natural compounds with antioxidant properties has intensified in recent years. These compounds are found in many fruits, vegetables and herbs. Most of these antioxidants are water soluble and can be eliminated from the body easily, while some are lipid soluble and may accumulate to toxic levels in the tissues.

The FDA does not regulate dietary supplements and it's recommended to get most of the antioxidants you need through your diet. It is important to note that taking too much of a single vitamin or mineral may be harmful, so always talk with your doctor before deciding on any type of supplementation. Other nutrients with powerful antioxidant properties include lycopenes, anthocyanins and flavonoids.

Flavonoids

Flavonoids are a sub-class of plant compounds with variable phenolic structures and are found in fruits, vegetables, grains, bark, roots, stems, flowers, tea and wine. They are known for their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. They are also thought to lower blood pressure levels and help reduce the risk of heart disease.

These compounds are found in a wide variety of foods and can be consumed in the form of whole foods or supplements. They are thought to work by neutralizing harmful atoms in the body called free radicals which can cause a host of diseases. They also help prevent age related neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's.

They are also a natural anti-inflammatory and have been shown to help prevent cancers including breast, prostate and lung cancers. They can inhibit the growth of tumors and stimulate apoptosis (programmed cell death). They also have antidiabetic properties by improving insulin secretion and improving glucose tolerance.

The best way to get the benefits of these compounds is to eat a diet rich in them. Foods high in flavonoids include tea, cocoa, berries, apples and red wine. However, it is recommended that you drink black or green tea without milk as dairy proteins have been shown to decrease the effectiveness of these compounds. Likewise, eating a variety of different colored fruits and vegetables is also a good way to ensure your intake of these important nutrients.

Vitamins

If you’re looking for an alternative to coffee when cutting down on caffeine, green tea is an excellent option. Decaf green tea is essentially the same as regular green tea, except it has no caffeine molecules in it at all. This is because decaf tea leaves are soaked in water, and the caffeine molecules simply evaporate into the water.

This method is more commonly used with black teas, but it’s also used with some green teas as well. This can cause the flavor to suffer, especially if the leaves are soaked for too long. In addition, the decaffeination process can take out some of the tea’s water-soluble vitamins and minerals as well.

The good news is, though, that the decaffeination process doesn’t remove all of the antioxidants and other healthy chemical compounds found in green tea. It’s a reduction, but some is better than none. That’s good news if you want the health benefits of green tea but are sensitive to caffeine, or if you need to drink your tea before bed.

You should keep in mind that even if you’re drinking decaf green tea, it’s still important to limit your caffeine intake. You should try to stick within the recommended daily maximum of 400 milligrams per day.