Decaffeinated teas are great if you’re sensitive to caffeine and want the nifty green tea health benefits without the jitters. However, the most common decaffeination methods reduce the presence of antioxidants and other healthy polyphenols.
A more natural method that maintains flavor is using pressurized liquid carbon dioxide. Other options include water processing and ethyl acetate.
Caffeine
Decaf green tea is a good option for those who want to limit their caffeine intake. It is brewed just like regular tea but goes through a decaffeination process to remove the naturally occurring caffeine before it is packaged for sale.
Caffeine is a stimulant that can cause nervousness, stomach upset and insomnia. It also inhibits a person’s ability to absorb iron, which contributes to anemia. It also disrupts normal sleep patterns, which can lead to mood swings and make it difficult to concentrate. Caffeine can also interfere with hormones, particularly in women who experience estrogen dominance symptoms such as PMS or endometriosis.
Green tea is packed with polyphenols, which have antioxidant effects and can help fight inflammation and support your immune system. These benefits may be reduced by the chemical processing used to decaffeinate the tea leaves, however.
During the decaffeination process, methylene chloride or ethyl acetate are typically used to remove the caffeine. These chemicals are toxic and can cause health issues if ingested over prolonged periods of time. They can also reduce the amount of flavanols and antioxidants that are present in the tea leaves, which can have a negative impact on your health. The steaming, drying and frying techniques that are used to produce some decaf teas do not use any toxic chemicals and retain more of the healthy properties of the leaves.
Tannins
Green tea is chock full of antioxidants and polyphenols which have a number of health benefits such as lowering the risk of heart disease. In particular, a specific polyphenol called EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate) has been shown to reduce inflammation and act as an anti-oxidant, among other things.
However, if you drink strong tea on an empty stomach it can cause a range of digestive problems like a stomachache, nauseousness and even vomiting. This has to do with the tannins in the tea which are a naturally occurring substance that gives plants their astringency. Tannins are also responsible for the bitter taste and dry mouth feeling after drinking a cup of tea. The tannin concentration in tea varies between different types of tea with black tea being the highest and green tea having the lowest.
The decaffeination process removes the caffeine but can also take away some of the other good stuff such as the polyphenols and antioxidants. As a result, decaf green tea isn’t likely to be as rich in health-promoting compounds as the caffeinated version.
Acidity
The decaffeination process removes the caffeine from tea leaves, but it doesn’t completely rid them of all their naturally-occurring chemicals. So, if you’re sensitive to certain chemicals like ethyl acetate and methylene chloride used in the decaffeination process, you may want to stick with caffeinated green tea.
Green tea contains a wide range of healthy phytochemicals including caffeine, EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate), and polyphenols known as tannins. These are the substances that give green tea its many health benefits, including weight loss, lowering cholesterol, and stimulating metabolism.
However, if you drink green tea on an empty stomach it can lead to acidity or gas in your stomach which may cause pain, discomfort, nausea, heartburn, etc. Acidity is caused by an imbalance in the amount of HCl (hydrochloric acid) produced by your stomach lining. The excessive acid in your stomach can also affect the esophagus leading to burning sensation in chest.
To avoid this, you should drink green tea only after eating a meal or with a light snack. However, if you don’t have an issue with your stomach or have any underlying health condition like glaucoma, osteoporosis, anemia, anxiety disorder, iron deficiency, it is still beneficial to have green tea on empty stomach for the health benefits it offers. Try our organic sencha decaf green tea powder that is easy to dissolve in hot water and has a smooth taste.
Dehydration
If you’re sensitive to caffeine (which can cause jitters, restlessness and headaches), decaf green tea is an excellent way to enjoy the perks of the brew without the downsides. However, it’s important to keep in mind that most decaf teas have been soaked in chemicals during the decaffeination process, which can leave behind trace amounts of caffeine. The most common methods of decaffeination involve using chemical solvents such as methylene chloride, ethyl acetate and carbon dioxide. These aren’t as safe for you or the environment and also affect the taste of the tea.
Additionally, decaf teas often have a lower level of flavanols and antioxidants compared to caffeinated green tea. So, if you’re drinking decaf tea to get the health benefits, be sure to opt for a high-quality brew that has been processed naturally.
Here at IE Green Tea, we have many delicious decaf options to choose from, including our decaf green tea with lemon and decaf peach green tea. These brews have been gently decaffeinated with CO2, preserving the original flavor and health benefits of the tea leaf. Try one of our delicious green teas to kickstart your morning and hydrate your body. It will boost your metabolic rate and help you feel more awake and alert. You’ll also notice better digestion thanks to the added antioxidants.
