Lots of us rely on a caffeine boost to kick-start our morning routines, wake us up and give us that extra bit of oomph we need to get going every day. Show
More often than not, most of us tend to get these caffeine fixes by reaching out for a steaming cup (or two) of coffee or tea. On average in the UK, us Brits drink almost 123 million cups of tea and 90 million cups of coffee every single day!1 Other than tasting great – you may be a tea or a coffee lover or partial to enjoying both – these two drinks also have something else in common, they contain caffeine. Even if they happen to be decaf…(more on this below). Once consumed, caffeine stimulates our central nervous system. This means that by the time it’s reached our brain, we’re feeling more alert, i.e. more awake and less tired.2 What is caffeine?Caffeine is a stimulant drug that speeds up the messages that are sent from our brain to our body. You can find it in the seeds, nuts and leaves of plants, such as Coffea Arabica (which is used for coffee), Thea Sinensis (which is used for tea), Cola Acuminata (which is used as a nut and in tea and soft drinks), Theobroma Cacao (which is used in cocoa and chocolate) and Paullinia Cupana (which is used in snack bars and energy drinks).3 Is caffeine good for you?Good question… we may crave it, and be conscious about how much caffeine we consume. But is it something we should worry about? Can caffeine impact our health at all? There’s lots of research out there on this topic. Moderate levels of tea and coffee are reportedly said to not damage our health. Studies also suggest three to four cups of tea and coffee are deemed safe to drink, and may even play a potentially beneficial role in fighting heart disease and diabetes. For more details on if caffeine is good for you, check out this article. Summary
 Reasons to go caffeine-freeAs with most things in life, there are positives and negatives. We’ve mentioned some of the caffeine positives above, but what about the negatives? Why is it that people may choose to give caffeine a miss? First up, some people may not like the taste of caffeine food or drink, simple as that. Meanwhile, others may find they experience side effects from consuming caffeine. For instance, as well as making you feel more alert, it can leave you feeling:4
It can also potentially lead to:
Drinking more than four cups of coffee over a long period time may also cause:5
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The caffeine content in a cup of coffeeSo, how much caffeine is there in a cup of Joe? Answer – it depends on the type of coffee you’re drinking. To give you an idea:6
Caffeine in a cup of teaAnd what about tea? How do its caffeine levels stack up?
Caffeine in coffee vs teaAh, the million dollar question…how does the caffeine content compare in coffee versus tea? Generally speaking, a cup of coffee contains around double the amount of caffeine compared to black tea, which contains an average of 95mg of caffeine per cup. Like tea, several factors can influence the caffeine content of coffee. These factors include the type of coffee beans, the roasting process and the type of coffee.8 For example, a shot of espresso contains about 63mg of caffeine and a cup of instant coffee contains anywhere between 30 and 90mg of caffeine. Summary
Does decaf coffee contain caffeine?Yes, it does, but not as much as a ‘normal’ cup of coffee. According to the US National Library of Medicine, a regular 8oz cup of coffee contains around 95 to 200mg of caffeine.9 In contrast, the caffeine in decaf coffee is around 2 to 15mg per 8oz serving, according to the FDA. However, the caffeine levels do fluctuate, depending on factors, such as the type of beans that have been used and the manufacturer’s decaffeination processes, as well as brewing method and strength. Interestingly, there aren’t any regulations specifying the maximum amount of caffeine coffee can contain in order to be classed as decaffeinated. As a general rule of thumb, the FDA says the term ‘decaffeinated’ can be used on coffee in which at least 97% of the original caffeine has been removed. Does decaf tea contain caffeine?Ok, so…. we know that an average 8oz cup of decaf coffee contains up to 7mg of caffeine. In comparison, a cup of regular coffee provides 70 to 140mg.10 So what’s the deal with caffeine in decaf tea? Well, the same can be said for decaf tea (in that decaf tea contains less caffeine than regular tea). By law, tea that’s been labelled as being decaffeinated should contain less than 2.5% of its original caffeine level, which usually equates to less than 2mg per cup.11 We’re not sure about you, but this has got us thinking about caffeine on a much wider scale. In particular, other than tea and coffee – the two main go-to caffeine boosters we instinctively tend to reach out for – what other food and drink products contain caffeine? And how much caffeine do they contain? Other food and drink that contains caffeineHere's a list of common food and drinks that contain caffeine:12,13,14,15,16
Some surprising things that contain caffeine
As for if there’s caffeine in peppermint tea, if it’s pure – i.e. made from nothing, but pure peppermint leaves, then it won’t contain any caffeine. So, if you like mint and are looking for a 100% caffeine-free alternative, then peppermint tea may well be your ideal drink of choice going forward. Summary
Is decaf tea and coffee good for you?Is decaf tea good for you? And is decaffeinated coffee good for you? Decaf coffee contains lots of antioxidants and nutrients, which includes magnesium, potassium and B vitamins. As a result, drinking regular and decaf coffee has been linked to a reduced risk of type 2 diabetes and liver protection.18 As for decaffeinated tea, it’s also said to contain antioxidants that are capable of helping reduce inflammation and protecting cells from damage caused by ageing and disease. 10 caffeine free hot drinksQuite like the idea of switching to caffeine-free hot drinks or mixing things up a bit by drinking your usual coffee or tea interspersed with some sans caffeine options? These 10 caffeine free hot drinks are an excellent starting point:
Summary
To conclude…Are you feeling more clued up about caffeine now? If anything, we hope this article has helped open your eyes to the fact that caffeine isn’t just present in the usual suspects – tea and coffee – it can be found in plenty of other food and drink items too, even ice cream and breakfast cereals. From boosting our energy levels to affecting how our bodies absorb vitamins and minerals, caffeine works in many wonderful ways. For more on the link between caffeine and mineral absorption levels, take a look at this article, ‘Does caffeine affect the absorption of vitamins and minerals?’ The advice in this article is for information only and should not replace medical care. Please check with your GP or healthcare professional before trying any supplements, treatments or remedies. Food supplements must not be used as a substitute for a varied and balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle. Last updated: 8 July 2021 Is there much caffeine in decaf tea?Decaffeinated tea is NOT caffeine-free. The decaffeination process leaves a minute amount of caffeine in the leaf. By law, tea labeled as “decaffeinated” must have less than 2.5 percent of its original caffeine level, which usually equates to less than 2 mg per cup.
What has more caffeine decaf coffee or tea?According to the FDA , an 8 oz cup of regular coffee typically contains 80–100 mg of caffeine. Green and black teas also contain more caffeine than decaf coffee. A regular 8 oz cup of green or black tea usually contains about 30–50 mg of caffeine.
Is decaf tea healthy?Decaf tea is just as healthy and nutritious as its regular counterpart but without the side effects of caffeine. Most types of tea, including antioxidant-rich green and black teas, contain small amounts of caffeine. If you're sensitive to stimulants, don't fret — you can always use decaffeinated tea bags.
Is it OK to drink a lot of decaf tea?Caffeine Consumption
The recommended maximum intake of caffeinated teas is no more than five 1-cup servings per day. However, choosing decaffeinated or caffeine-free teas, such as herbal teas, is a safe way of drinking six to eight cups of tea per day.
Which is better decaf tea or coffee?Plus, a caffeine-free or decaffeinated tea is not evil — they still have health benefits like prevention of cancer, cardiovascular disease, and free radical aging, just at a much less potent concentration. “All tea has less caffeine than coffee, plus you get that calm wakefulness and more health benefits,” says Boyd.
Will decaf tea keep me awake?In fact, any of the many varieties of decaffeinated tea, especially mild-flavored types, can help promote relaxation enough to lend to drowsiness. Though decaf teas are likely to contain a small percentage of caffeine, it's typically less than in decaf coffee.
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How much caffeine is in a cup of decaf tea
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