ACID – ALKALINE BALANCE + DECAFFEINATION EFFECTS

In addition to caffeine there are a number of significant chemical compounds such as chlorogenic acid, caffeol and diterpenes in coffee, which also have strong effects on the body. Many health conditions that are aggravated by other phytochemicals in decaf coffee that are present after the decaffeination process, may exacerbate health problems.

Decaffeinated coffee stimulates more acid production than regular coffee.

The decaffeination process itself is not always innocuous some companies use formaldehyde, organic solvents, either methylene chloride or ethyl acetate and the use of supercritical carbon dioxide. HealthWISE uses the world’s best, known as the Swiss Water extraction process or the European water process and natural filtered water.

Eighty percent of decaffeinated coffee is processed with solvents.

The health effects of these solvents as found in decaffeinated coffee are not well known, but studies suggest that methylene chloride (dichloromethane) is shown to be carcinogenic, and the National Cancer Institute’s list of chemicals labels it as a possible human carcinogen. In the decaffeination process, the solvents are removed from the coffee beans, but residues have still been found in decaffeinated coffee.

When water and carbon dioxide are used to decaffeinate coffee, a measurable residue is not left behind in the remaining beans, but other phytochemicals and high acidity found in coffees remain, unless roasted under the HealthWISE Techno-Roast™ process.

Additionally, in the ordinary process of water extraction, unique flavor characteristics of coffees from different origins are blended and blurred water extraction due to the intermingling of the flavors from various types of beans in the water bath. This is not found in HealthWISE Coffee.

Among the other decaffeination methods, methylene chloride extraction retains the most flavor but leaves a dry taste in the mouth; both water extraction and carbon dioxide extraction blur the flavor of the beans and ethyl acetate adds a sweet fruit flavor. Additionally, inferior beans that may be old or moldy are often used for decaffeinated coffee because the process can remove off flavors and mask the age or condition of the beans.

FDA guidelines for decaffeinated coffee require that 97% of the caffeine is removed. HealthWISE Decaf is 99.9% caffeine free.

The caffeine content of coffee beans varies widely; therefore the caffeine content of decaffeinated coffee also fluctuates, and can be 10mg or more per 12 ounce cup. Other measurements found caffeine levels up to 17.5mg per 16 ounce cup.

Starbucks reports that there is up to 11mg of caffeine in each 8 oz cup of Starbucks decaf coffee, but a Starbucks ” tall”, their smallest serving size, is 12 ounces and a “grande” is 16 oz, giving their servings 16.5 mg and 22mg respectively. Many coffee drinkers don’t limit themselves to 12 or 16 ounces but repeatedly fill oversize mugs or consume larger sizes in coffee shops. The additive effects of several cups of decaffeinated coffee consumed throughout the day can be significant for someone who has a delicate stomach, a stomach disorder like ulcers or hiatal hernia or if they are sensitive to caffeine or suffering from a health condition aggravated by caffeine.

It is well-known throughout the coffee industry that decaffeinated coffee is more acidic than regular coffee due to the fact that decaffeinated coffee is made from Robusta beans. While HealthWISE Coffee uses only Arabica beans, other roasters use Robusta beans because they are cheaper, more readily available and retain more of the coffee flavor after the decaffeination process; Robusta beans have a higher concentration of caffeine (and therefore result in less of a caffeine reduction ) and are more acidic than other beans. Most companies claiming Low Acid coffees use this fact in order to substantiate their claim of Low Acid. HealthWISE Coffee has more than 31% - 38.4% Less Acid than national brands. The high acid content of most decaffeinated coffees is problematic for people with health problems such as acid reflux, GERDS and ulcers making them susceptible to the detrimental effects of high levels of acidity.

All food and drink consumed affects the body’s pH balance. In a condition of homeostasis, the pH should be naturally alkaline, but consumption of acidic foods including decaffeinated coffee increases metabolic acidity, producing negative systemic effects. One of the problems associated with metabolic acidity is decreased bone density. As mentioned in our first report, this occurs because minerals appear to have a buffering effect on the bloodstream and are subsequently leached from the bone to restore alkalinity to the blood when metabolic levels have shifted too far into acidity. Chronic metabolic acidity caused by both regular and decaf coffee consumption impede the absorption and increase excretion of minerals including calcium, magnesium, zinc and iron, further increasing mineral loss., while HealthWISE replenishes essential minerals including Iron, Calcium, Zinc, Potassium and Magnesium. Other decaffeinated coffees stimulate increased cortisol secretion, activating the body’s stress response Elevated cortisol levels aggravate health conditions sensitive to stress including acid reflux, ulcers, irritable bowel syndrome, and cardiovascular disease.

Iron is an essential component of red blood cells, and iron deficiency is a frequent cause of anemia.

Coffee drinking reduces iron absorption, HealthWISE increases iron consumption. Caffeine is not the only ingredient thought to interfere with iron absorption; chlorogenic acid, also present in decaffeinated coffee, reduces the ability of the body to absorb iron from food sources.

Decaffeinated coffee raises the risk for heart attacks similar to regular coffee in spite of the lowered levels of caffeine. Levels of LDL cholesterol, a strong predictor for heart attacks, have been shown to increase after coffee drinkers switch from regular coffee to decaf. HealthWISE recommends that its Low Caffeine coffee, which contains 30% - 36% Less Caffeine than National brands; should be consumed as an alternative or during transition to decaf as a means of getting the boost without the deleterious effects of caffeine, in order to wean themselves off caffeine without withdrawal symptoms. The results of these studies suggest that other constituents in coffee, not removed in the decaffeination process, are responsible for increasing the risk factors for heart disease.

HealthWISE Coffee delivers the Jolt without the Jitters©.

Chlorogenic acid is found in both caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee. Significantly, chlorogenic acid has been implicated to be a factor that raises plasma levels of homocysteine, which is associated with increased susceptibility of developing cardiovascular disease. Reducing the intake of both caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee may be important in controlling plasma homocysteine levels. HealthWISE Coffee is currently researching its effects on chlorogenic acid.

Just like regular coffee, decaf coffee produces a variety of adverse metabolic effects that include stimulating the sympathetic or autonomic nervous system, which raises heart rate, blood pressure and causes shaking and tremors commonly thought of as "coffee jitters".

Decaf coffee stimulates the lower GI tract and can cause laxative effects like regular coffee in spite of the reduced amount of caffeine. Both decaffeinated and caffeinated coffee increase intraocular pressure. Intraocular pressure increases risk of developing glaucoma and further pressure increases can be dangerous in people who are already suffering from glaucoma.

While caffeinated coffee, more so than decaf coffee interferes with the absorption of minerals such as iron, calcium and magnesium which increases intraocular pressure that can be dangerous for people at risk for glaucoma. Clearly components in coffee other than caffeine strongly affect the body and produce many of the same effects as regular coffee.

Decaffeinated Coffees other than HealthWISE Increase Acidity

Decaffeinated Coffee Increases gastrin levels.

Regular coffee, decaffeinated coffee and pure caffeine all stimulate the release of gastrin after ingestion. Gastrin is the hormone that stimulates acid release in the stomach.

Decaffeinated coffee causes statistically significant increases in serum gastrin levels, and stimulates trypsin secretion.

Significantly, Gastro Intestinal acid secretion is markedly greater after decaffeinated and regular coffee consumption than it is after ingestion of caffeine alone. When decaffeinated coffee was compared to a widely-used protein-based test meal, known to increase gastric acidity, decaffeinated coffee caused more significant stimulation of release of gastrin and the secretion of acid.

Decaffeinated Coffee Increases Gastroesophical Pressure Exacerbating Heartburn and Acid Reflux!

Highly acidic coffees as well as high caffeine coffees can cause Gastroesophical Damage Even In Those Who Don’t Experience Heartburn Or Acid Discomfort! (read about Starbucks)

Both decaffeinated and regular coffee cause similar increases in gastroesopheal sphincter pressure, while pressure changed minimally in response to pure caffeine. This indicates that compounds in coffee other than caffeine are also responsible for increased incidence of acid reflux after coffee consumption.