Decaf coffee - is it so wrong?

[elysen64]

I just began raw a couple weeks ago with the help of my husband. I'm a big coffee drinker even though I'm super sensitive to caffeine. After drinking a cup (or 4) of regular coffee I would instantly get horrible headaches, nausea, dizziness, lethargy, etc. But I would continue to drink it. I can't tolerate it anymore after going raw, in fact, a couple weeks ago I almost passed out after drinking a couple cups. What's the deal with decaf though? I know it's not raw, but is coffee in general bad for my body?

[Revvell]

I'd suggest you google the decaf process. That'll give you some insight to your question.

[Aleesha Sattva]

From what I've found, by googling... I can't find the harm in the decaf process. But I must be missing something. ???

elsyen, everyone decides how raw or how clean they want their body to become. you can always tweak it as you along too. only you can make this decision for yourself. i was a huge coffee drinker before i became raw but... because health was my goal, i removed my morning decaf from my daily regime... and i don't regret it one bit. now if i have some... my tummy is upset all day and the rest of my body complains as well.

once your body gets clean enough for you to listen/hear what it's saying... it won't like it.

but it's your choice.

[Revvell]

CHEMICAL-DECAFFEINATION METHODS
Chemical methods are grouped in two categories: direct and indirect.
As with all decaffeination processes, the direct method begins with soaking green unroasted beans. The beans are then flushed with methylene chloride (DCM), a solvent that is generally used in direct contact with the beans. As the DCM soaks through all parts of the bean, the caffeine is drawn out.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) considers the DCM residual levels in this decaffeination process low enough to be acceptable. The FDA, however, and the National Cancer Institute have both linked DCM to cancer in laboratory animals. In 1989 the FDA banned DCM for use in cosmetics and hair sprays.
Another chemical solvent used to decaffeinate coffee is ethyl acetate - often called natural because it exists in minute quantities in ripening fruits.
Ethyl acetate is produced commercially from ethyl alcohol and acetic acid, which in turn may be produced from natural ingredients or petroleum derivatives. Like DCM, ethyl acetate is used in direct as well as indirect contact with the beans.
In the indirect process, green beans are steeped in hot water to dissolve the caffeine. Next, the water is separated from the beans and treated with an ethyl acetate solvent to remove the caffeine. Then, flavor ingredients in the water are returned to the beans, which are then rinsed to wash off trace amounts of ethyl acetate. Some processors that use ethyl acetate with water refer to their method as water process. The use of a chemical solvent, however, clearly makes this a chemical method.

[Revvell]

CANCER FACTS National Cancer Institute National Institutes of Health Coffee is a common beverage made from the roasted and ground berries of the small evergreen tree of the genus Coffea. Several large-scale studies have been conducted to determine whether there is an association between coffee intake and cancer risk. Most of them have not found an increased incidence of cancer among people who drink coffee.
Coffee contains caffeine, a mild stimulant also found in other popular drinks such as soft drinks and tea. Research into a possible link between caffeine and cancer has been inconclusive.

Studies have also been conducted to evaluate the possible risk of cancer from decaffeinated coffee. Trichloroethylene, a solvent once used to decaffeinate coffee, was tested by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) in 1976 and shown to cause liver tumors in mice. The NCI later conducted an epidemiologic study of civilian workers exposed to trichloroethylene while engaged in aircraft maintenance at a United States Air Force Base. In reviewing this and other epidemiologic studies, the International Agency for Research on Cancer concluded that evidence for the risk of cancer from trichloroethylene in humans was limited.

Since the 1970s, coffee companies have switched to other solvents such as methylene chloride (dichloromethane), ethyl acetate, or other types of processing to decaffeinate coffee. However, because methylene chloride is now strongly suspected to cause cancer in humans, most coffee producers no longer use it. Companies that produce coffee may be contacted to learn about their decaffeination method.

Additional information about decaffeinating solvents can be obtained from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition at 200 C Street, SW., Washington, DC 20204; or from the FDA's Office of Consumer Affairs toll-free information line at 1-888-INFO-FDA (1-888-463-6332). The FDA Web site is located at Http: //www.fda.gov on the Internet.

[Zella Juice]

A few years ago I tried decaf when I went off coffee. I started juicing and detoxed the caffeine out of my body. I wanted to have a coffee for a special occasion and tried a decaf. It gave me the same nasty headache that coffee did. I found out that there is some caffeine in decaf. And it was enough to make me miserable. I learned my lesson the hard way. Now I am not interested in coffee at all. I have to make it for the people here at work and still love the smell of the beans...but that's about it.

[annavon]

I read the book Caffeine Blues. The author does not recommend decaf for several reasons. 1. It still contains caffeine. 2. It is highly acidic 3. Some coffees are defacinated with chemicals. Although Teeccino is not raw, it is better than coffee of any kind. I found it useful in my transition off of coffee. Now I don't need it anymore.

[GoingRAW]

I'd suggest you google the decaf process. That'll give you some insight to your question.

Not all decaf is chemically treated. There is a swiss water process for organic decaf coffee.

[elysen64]

Thanks for all the info. I just bought some organic decaf at the health store that uses the swiss water process. Maybe one day I won't want coffee but for now I'll be using this!

[Revvell]

Not all decaf is chemically treated. There is a swiss water process for organic decaf coffee.

This is true but IF s/he or anyone here is drinking decaf from other places such as Star$$$ or Mickey D's... it's something to be aware of.

[Eva]

Coming from a former coffee fiend, Starbucks does have some swiss water process (although it's hit and miss when they serve it) -- but -- no matter what, it's better but not ideal.

That said, if you're not ready or don't want to knock the decaf for now, it's your prerogative!

I personally don't miss it. Usually... :o

[Thick]

I highly recommend Roasted Dandelion herbal tea to wean yourself off of coffee. It tastes like coffee, but really better. If you are doing decaf coffee, you will really like it. I know my whole foods and even kroger carries it.

http://www.drugstore.com/qxp138479_334918_sespider/traditional_medicinals/organic_dandelion_root_tea_bags.htm

[RawDrop]

This is what I use when I want a coffee.

[lioness]

There's a place called filtron that sells a "cold" process for brewing coffee that's suppose make it less acidic and you can use it heated or cold like if you want to make coffee drinks. Their website is www.filtron.com. It also gives you more info on the process and what it entails.