Decaf Green Tea: 4 Benefits for Your Health (& Better Alternatives)

Green tea is recognized as a superfood for its antioxidant properties. We’ll tell you four health benefits of decaf green tea, as well as some other sustainable tea options.

Decaf green tea has all of the benefits that regular green tea has, although there are some differences that make it a more suitable drink for some people. While research shows us now that there can be many benefits to the consumption of green tea, researchers often point out that one must drink several cups of green tea per day in order to see the positive health results. This can be a lot of caffeine, especially if you drink other caffeinated drinks throughout the day such as coffee, or if you try to avoid caffeine altogether. 

The Downsides to Caffeinated Green Tea

There are some downsides to caffeinated green tea that make decaf green tea a more appealing drink. Caffeinated green tea can sometimes cause stomach problems if it is brewed for too long, as green tea contains tannins that can increase the amount of acid in your stomach. This can lead to health problems such as acid reflux, and nausea. Most of the other downsides of caffeinated green tea are associated with its caffeine content, which can cause headaches, problems sleeping, and dizziness if you drink large portions. 

1. Less Caffeine

Decaf green tea contains all of the antioxidants and has all of the health benefits of green tea, without the caffeine. This means drinking decaf green tea reduces the restlessness and potential insomnia that regular green tea can cause, as well as other symptoms such as nausea, headaches and anxiety. Decaf green tea is particularly useful if you want to enjoy a cup before bed, without increasing your alertness. 

A great alternative to decaf green tea if you are looking for a decaf tea is ginger tea. .

2. Lower Risk of Heart Problems

Caffeine slightly raises your blood pressure, so decaf green tea is a healthier option as it can lower your risk of many health problems associated with heart disease. According to a 2016 review in the ​British Journal of Pharmacology, it is reported that antioxidants in green tea can also battle oxidative stress, which can contribute to the development of health conditions such as heart disease. 

Another healthy decaf tea to try is stinging nettle tea, which is known for treating high blood pressure. You can source stinging nettles yourself as they grow wild in most areas. 

3. Decaf Green Tea May Support Weight Loss

A 2017 study has found that decaf green tea polyphenols prevented weight gain in mice with obesity, suggesting that the tea may also aid in weight loss for humans. Smaller studies have been carried out in order to research the links between decaf green tea and weight loss. A research study from March 2021 observed 27 overweight participants and found that taking a daily dose of decaf green tea extract sped up their fat metabolism, which improved fat breakdown compared to a placebo.

Another decaf tea to try is mugwort tea. Mugwort tea is a great sustainable option, as it grows wild throughout the US and Canada.

4. Antioxidants

Although some people may worry that decaf green tea looses some of its nutrients in the decaffeination process, decaf green tea is still packed full of antioxidants, the same as caffeinated green tea. Green tea is richer in antioxidants compared to other forms of tea. Antioxidants have anticancer properties as they protect your cells against free radicals, which may play a role in heart disease, cancer and many other diseases. 

Another decaf tea to try with potential cancer preventing properties is ginger and garlic tea.

Read on:

• Cinnamon Tea: 4 Health Benefits and How to Make Your Own
• How to Make Chai Tea Latte: 3 Easy Recipes
• Matcha vs. Green Tea: What’s the Difference?

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