No matter your coffee drinking preferences or lifestyle choices, chances are you have come across someone touting the health benefits of decaf. What this means for you depends entirely upon personal preference and lifestyle – while both options offer invigorating energy boosts, decaf may be particularly useful to pregnant or breastfeeding mothers, those with sensitive stomachs, or those who find caffeine makes them anxious or jittery.

Decaf coffee is made using the same beans used for regular coffee, but without the caffeine. Caffeine naturally occurs in coffee beans but can be dangerous as an artificial stimulant for humans as it stimulates the central nervous system and raises anxiety levels and blood pressure. Coffee producers utilize solvent extraction or Swiss Water processing methods to remove it, leaving behind other natural compounds which give coffee its flavor and aroma; its taste and smell remain almost identical to that of regular coffee.

Decaf coffee differs from regular varieties in that when caffeine is removed, some of the oils and flavors responsible for creating its unique taste are also stripped away, leading to flat or bitter flavors; although certain brands strive to preserve original taste while simultaneously lowering acidity levels for an enhanced experience.

Decaf coffee still offers many of the same health benefits associated with caffeinated varieties, including antioxidants and plant-based nutrients like potassium, magnesium, and niacin. A 2022 study that followed 449,563 participants over 12.5 years revealed that all forms of coffee (caffeinated and decaffeinated alike) were linked with reduced cardiovascular disease risk and mortality; particularly instant, ground, or decaffeinated beverages had the greatest reduction.

As noted above, while decaf is caffeine-free, both regular and decaf coffee may contain sodium and saturated fat that could negatively impact your diet if taken without consideration. It’s best to follow a balanced approach when drinking any type of coffee.

What’s better: Regular or decaf? The choice will ultimately depend on your needs and tolerance levels for caffeine.

If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, decaf may be your best bet to avoid any unwanted side effects from excess caffeine, particularly if it makes you anxious or jittery. But for an extra kick of energy to start off your morning right, regular coffee will do. If trying to cut back, switch to tea instead or look for lower-caffeine alternatives (look out for “solvent-free” labels on packaging)