Coffee lovers often ask us whether Swiss Water® Decaf coffees are better for their health and easier on their bodies than traditional, fully caffeinated coffee drinks. While research studying coffee and health is ongoing, we’ve always got our eye on the latest findings. Here we’ll turn to this data to answer a few of the most popular questions we receive about the potential health benefits of Swiss Water® Decaf and coffee in general. (We’re happy to say the two overlap!)

Q: I'm trying to lower my cholesterol levels. Is decaf coffee better for my cholesterol than regular coffee?

One great thing about the Swiss Water decaffeination process is that it leaves so many of coffee's vital compounds, like chlorogenic acids and polyphenols, intact in the coffee bean itself. These compounds are considered by many to be antioxidants, and are thought to contribute to good heart health and to prevent cardiovascular disease when consumed in moderation. We’re proud to say our chemical-free process preserves these beneficial parts of coffee!

That said, the decaffeination process has been shown to have little effect on the cholesterol-affecting oils, cafestol and kahweol, that are also a natural part of coffee. Because of this, decaf coffee has been shown to make a minimal difference in the cholesterol levels of people who drink decaf compared to those who drink "regular", caffeinated coffee.

However, this doesn't mean your cup of coffee (decaf or otherwise) can't be brewed to have less of a negative impact on your cholesterol: research shows that the cholesterol-boosting oils in question are greatly reduced when coffee is prepared by any method that involves a paper filter, such as in a standard coffeemaker, via a pour-over, or in an AeroPress using paper filters. (Conversely, higher effects on cholesterol are seen in those who drink of French Press, MokaPot, or espresso-brewed coffee, in which the brewing water makes direct contact with the coffee oils and is passed through to the cup only through a fine metal screen.) To reduce the potential negative impacts of cholesterol in both caffeinated and decaffeinated coffees, choose a paper filter brew method.

Q: I have stomach problems. Is decaf coffee lower in acid than fully caffeinated coffee?

Though some studies have found decaf has a slightly lower acidity than caffeinated coffee, the difference may not be of great significance to those who are seeking truly reduced acidity. To minimize the possible discomforts of acidity, we recommend not only selecting a Swiss Water Processed decaf but seeking out darker roasted coffees and different styles of brewing, like cold brew, which can further reduce the amount of acidity that remains in your cup of coffee. If you’re looking for a good cold brew recipe, our friends at Café Grumpy have a great one here. (And our friends at Stumptown have a really helpful FAQ all about cold brew coffee, too!)

Q: Does decaf coffee have an impact on blood sugar?

Coffee (taken black and without added sweeteners or milk/milk alternatives) has not been shown to have a significant effect on blood sugar. Indeed, the health-benefitting polyphenols and other compounds within coffee are thought by some to have a possible role in the prevention of developing Type II Diabetes.

But the relationship between coffee and diabetes is complex and has both good and bad sides: while a 2021 study found that an increase in coffee consumption—for instance an extra cup of coffee a day—cut the risk of Type II Diabetes, other studies have found that coffee of any kind does have an acute effect on glucose metabolism. (But it did find that the metabolism-impairing effects of decaf are lower than the effects of caffeinated coffee.) As managing diabetes involves both short-term and long-term attention to blood sugar, it will be an individual matter to decide what level of caffeine intake works best for each coffee drinker.

At the end of the day, it should be a personal decision between you and your doctor about how much coffee—decaffeinated or not—is right for your own body, risk factors, and lifestyle. We're proud to offer a chemical-free choice for coffee lovers who want to reduce caffeine in their lives for any reason, and are even prouder that Swiss Water decaf retains many of coffee's most health benefitting compounds—and of course that it tastes delicious! We join you in raising a cup of decaf to your health!