Many have recently made the switch from regular coffee to decaf in an effort to enhance their health and sleep better, but is decaf really the superior option?

Research has correlated both caffeinated and decaf coffee consumption to various health benefits, including reduced risks of type 2 diabetes, neurodegenerative diseases and cognitive decline. Unfortunately, however, most studies fail to distinguish between caffeine-rich coffee consumption and decaf coffee intake separately; instead they often report total coffee consumption or don’t even include decaf in their analyses at all.

One study indicated that caffeinated and decaf coffee consumption were associated with decreased risks of type 2 diabetes and mortality; however, its cause remained uncertain. To ascertain this fact, researchers analyzed 21 studies with over 10 million participants analyzed for various factors like gender, age, country of residence, follow up period length as well as consumption (both caffeinated and decaf).

Soluble fiber in both caffeinated and decaf beverages contains antioxidants which may lower blood pressure, decrease risk for heart disease and reduce inflammation in the body, while also stimulating beneficial bacteria found in our gut, supporting both weight and mood management. Coffee may even support healthy weight management through an increase in beneficial bacteria activity that supports a balanced weight and mood.

Though coffee provides numerous health benefits, it’s important to keep in mind that excessive coffee intake may lead to side effects like jitteriness, trouble sleeping and stomach upset. To limit this from occurring it’s suggested that your daily caffeine consumption be limited to 400 milligrams or less per day.

There’s an easy way to reduce caffeine intake: switching to decaf coffee. Decaffeination removes most of the caffeine from coffee beans before they’re roasted – one method is by soaking them in solvents; alternative methods use water or carbon dioxide as more eco-friendly methods of caffeine removal.

Decaffeination processes often leave behind chemicals in their finished products, so many prefer organic decaf options. Decaffeinated coffee may also be beneficial if you suffer from heart conditions or take antidepressants that interact with caffeine; organic decaf would not.

Taste-wise, decaf coffee tends to have a milder taste than caffeinated due to the reduced exposure of beans during roasting. Unfortunately for coffee drinkers however, decaf does not have the same energy-boosting effects or cardiovascular health benefits of regular coffee; however if this trade-off can be accepted then decaf can be an ideal choice for avoiding the jitters and digestive issues associated with caffeine intake.