Why is water-processed decaf coffee bad?

[milletpuff]

I get the no-caffeine piece. And I know most commercial decaf coffees are decaffeinated with chemicals so I get why one might not want to drink those either.

But I know from the numerous caffeine threads that have been on here that people still avoid even-water processed decaf...why?

<-- me praying for a delicious cup of coffee!

[pregnant@40]

Maybe they're avoiding it not b/c it's water processed, but rather b/c it still contains a trace of caffeine (though minimal). Personally, I continue to drink coffee full-strength (sanctioned by OB).

[weliveintheforest]

I am trying to keep coffee to a once-in-a-while thing not just because of the caffeine, but because it interferes with iron absorption (even decaf) and is acidic. Just like I try to limit other stuff that is not great for me but also not the worst.
I'm drinking herbal teas, and when I want something with milk and honey, I often drink roiboos.

[byzentina]

I drink water-processed decaf once in a while.

Edited by byzentina - 5/4/12 at 8:16pm

[mommytoallh]

I have been drinking swiss water processed decaf when I do have a cup of coffee - I had no ides there was an issue. FYI: I have a Keurig coffee maker and Paul Newman's Special Decaf is swiss water processed.

[Peony]

I don't avoid it. I drink two large cups of decaf every day, pg or not.

[crayfishgirl]

From an environmental standpoint, it wastes an atrocious amount of water in regions where clean drinking water is often at a premium, and the wastewater produced from it can create a lot of harm to the environments it is discharged to.

[MamaFern]

i dont drink a lot of coffee, but i have a bag of organic, fair trade decaff for when i NEED some and lately its been a few times a week (but only in the last week or so) my iron levels are above normal for this point in pregnancy, so though it may effect your iron absorption, it hasn't for me..

i do agree that teas are better in pregnancy, but sometimes there is nothing like a hot cup of coffee with milk & honey

[mylilmonkeys]

Originally Posted by MamaFern

i dont drink a lot of coffee, but i have a bag of organic, fair trade decaff for when i NEED some and lately its been a few times a week (but only in the last week or so) my iron levels are above normal for this point in pregnancy, so though it may effect your iron absorption, it hasn't for me..

i do agree that teas are better in pregnancy, but sometimes there is nothing like a hot cup of coffee with milk & honey

High iron is not a good thing, either. If your iron levels are high, it could mean your blood volume is not expanding like it should. It is healthy for iron to drop as your pregnancy progresses, as an indicator that all is well.

[milletpuff]

Thanks for the feedback everyone. I'm pretty sure my acupuncturist wants me on no decaf either, I will ask her why. But I am feeling better about a possible occasional cup.

[MamaFern]

Originally Posted by mylilmonkeys

High iron is not a good thing, either. If your iron levels are high, it could mean your blood volume is not expanding like it should. It is healthy for iron to drop as your pregnancy progresses, as an indicator that all is well.

its within the norm, just on the high end of normal..what i mean is, im not low on iron..but thanks, my midwife said its great

[mommytoallh]

Originally Posted by milletpuff

Thanks for the feedback everyone. I'm pretty sure my acupuncturist wants me on no decaf either, I will ask her why. But I am feeling better about a possible occasional cup.

It was my acupuncturist who told me about swiss water processed decaf, otherwise she said decaf was worse than full caffeine.

[littlest birds]

I have spent years drinking many cups of coffee per day. I quit drinking caffeinated coffee a few months ago and started drinking water processed decaf.

With decaf I still loved the taste, the ritual, and I drank a lot. Then I realized that it was causing me to feel crappy. I didn't have it all the time: I would wait a week and then buy a bag and drink it several times a day, then after I ran out wait another week or two and then splurge again. So I was able to see that the ups and downs I felt were connected to the coffee. Maybe it was the leftover caffeine or the acidity or the tannins or the nutrient blocking... I have no idea why but I just know it made me feel dragged out and the dragged feeling disappeared about 24 hours after I ran out of my decaf coffee each time. I also believe it may have been affecting my hormones (estrogen dominance) although it wasn't the primary issue for that.

I'm sure there are explanations for how I felt but I have learned enough for me. I wouldn't mind having an occasional cup when out caffeinated or not but I have decided not to keep any conveniently in the house.

I did drink caffeinated coffee during two of my pregnancies but kinda wish I hadn't. My midwife thought it was okay--not the most important thing to worry about. I don't specifically think it caused problems, but that it wasn't that ideal for our health. That balance is a bigger deal to me now than it used to be.

Sorry to crash in on ya--I am not PG right but TTC and trying to be healthier for PG.

[Lady Lilya]

I read something the other day about antioxidants deterring the absorption of folic acid. Maybe that's what it is about.