Decaffeinated tea. - Healthy Lifestyle Message Board

ledfoot · 07-14-2006, 10:26 AM

A month ago I changed from ordinary black tea to decaffeinated, and although for the first 3 weeks I had constant headaches,(?caffeine withdrawal) I stuck with it and the headaches suddenly went away. I'm happy to have cut out the caffeine, but does decaf tea still contain the same antioxidants as nondecaf tea? I've also heard that decaf coffee may be harmful due to its additives, does this also affect decaf tea? Does anyone Know?

browneyed-babe · 07-21-2006, 11:19 AM

Never heard that it is bad for you - how could it be? Caffeine is bad for you. I have been on an almost caffeine free diet for 11 yrs (I still like chocolate). I don't drink pop except gingerale. I never did like coffee. I drink decaf tea once in a while. I heard green tea is good for you and it comes in decaf so I bought some. Must have same good properties - why wouldn't it?

Texanne · 07-28-2006, 10:31 AM

ledfoot quote >>>I'm happy to have cut out the caffeine, but does decaf tea still contain the same antioxidants as nondecaf tea? I've also heard that decaf coffee may be harmful due to its additives, does this also affect decaf tea? <<<

Caffeine occurs naturally in tea, coffee, and chocolate. It is an additive in energy drinks, sodas, etc... There is no definitive research that caffeine is harmful to healthy adults, unless you are prone to anxiety, rapid heart rate, or other specific health concerns. In fact, it can be good for you, can speed up the metabolism slightly, and helps boost pain relievers (that's why it is added to so many pain relievers like Excedrin, BC powders, Goody's headache powders, etc...)

Antioxidants are indeed reduced by the decaffeination process specific to tea. I know that there is research out there about it, I can't remember a source, but I'm sure that you can find research online. Also, there has been reporting on the method of decaffeinating coffee that somehow contributed to heart disease. I think that they used to use chemicals to remove the caffiene, and the chemicals are harmful. I think that you should look for the words "naturally decaffeinated", but I would research that, too.

Jennita · 07-29-2006, 01:43 PM

If you don't buy a tea that specifies that it's decaffeinating process retains the antioxidants then most likely the tea has lost some of it's antioxidants. I found Good Earth brand that specifies retention of antioxidants. But if you want, I read on a popular doctor's website that a brief steeping of caffeinated tea (about a minute) in a very small amount of water, then drain that water and proceed with regular steeping is supposed to get rid of about 90% of caffiene in tea.

I know nothing about coffee, however, don't like it, don't drink it. And I think the natural caffeine in tea, in moderation of course, probably isn't a big concern anyway.

ledfoot · 09-02-2006, 08:33 AM

Thanks for your replies. I like the steeping advice which is useful to know, i also didnt know green tea could be decaffeinated, and will look for it. I have gone decaf because it is meant to improve fertility, and I'm doing detox before IVF.