Is decaf coffee better than normal coffee?

If you are caffeine sensitive, pregnant or trying to conceive, then decaf coffee is best. Some studies have linked consumption of caffeine exceeding 300mg per day to infertility or a higher risk of miscarriage. Caffeine is a completely natural compound found in a variety of plants, so if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or having fertility problems you will be advised to limit your caffeine intake to 200 mgs per day or less. A regular brewed coffee contains between 95 mg and 200mg of caffeine.

The rest of us can relax. A moderate amount of coffee (3-4 cups a day) or 300 – 400 mg of caffeine a day is OK, in fact there is some evidence that caffeine actually provides health benefits. Some people may be more vulnerable to the effects of caffeine, the elderly, people with hypertension, adolescents and children.

Whether your coffee is decaf or not, watch the addition of milk and sugar. Even if your latte is made with trim milk, two a day adds up to 320 extra calories. Switch for a long black or glass of water and you’ll lose 14 kilos over a year. It will take you 45 minutes of intensive cardio on a cross-trainer or a 90-minute walk to burn off those 320 calories. Considering most of us want to burn fat when exercising, it would pay not to load our blood stream with lattes. If you have weight to lose, check the calories in all of your drinks.