Does Decaf Coffee Raise Blood Pressure? What the Research Says

If you have high blood pressure, or you're simply trying to manage your caffeine intake, you may be wondering: Does decaf coffee raise blood pressure?

The good news is that decaf coffee is unlikely to raise your blood pressure significantly, and for most people, it's a much safer choice than regular coffee. However, if you're new to coffee, even decaf can cause a temporary, modest rise. 

Below, we explain the research, what it means if you have high blood pressure, and how decaf compares to regular coffee.

What is Decaf Coffee?

Decaf coffee is coffee that has had most of its caffeine removed. But despite the name, it isn't entirely caffeine-free.

The decaffeination process removes around 97% of the caffeine, leaving approximately 2–5 mg per cup compared to 70–140 mg in a standard cup of regular coffee. If you are sensitive to caffeine or have been advised by a doctor to avoid it, factor this small residual amount into your daily intake.

That said, for most people, cutting back on caffeine, decaf is a practical middle ground, so you can keep the ritual but lose most of the stimulant.

The Impact of Decaf Coffee on Blood Pressure

Many people switch to decaf hoping it's kinder on their blood pressure. The research suggests they're right, but the full picture is a little more interesting than a simple yes or no.

In 1989, scientists from Switzerland conducted a 12-week randomised, double-blind crossover trial looking at how decaf coffee and regular coffee affected blood pressure. The trial involved 45 healthy volunteers aged 25–45 who drank 4–6 cups of coffee daily.

The results showed:

• Replacing regular coffee with decaf coffee led to a slight decrease in the subject’s blood pressure.
• Systolic blood pressure dropped by 1.5mm Hg and diastolic blood pressure dropped by 1.0mm Hg when participants consumed decaf coffee in place of regular coffee.
• There was a slight increase in heart rate of 1.3 beats per minute with decaf coffee consumption.

A 2022 study by Palatini et al., published on PubMed, tested caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee on 40 healthy participants and found no significant difference in blood pressure or heart rate between the two after 30–90 minutes. The researchers concluded that for habitual coffee drinkers, the body adapts to coffee's compounds over time regardless of caffeine content.

What Are the Benefits of Decaf Coffee?

There are many benefits to drinking decaf coffee, such as:

• Improved sleep: Decaf coffee won’t interrupt your sleep schedule the way caffeinated coffee can. 
• Reduced stress: Lower caffeine means less stimulation of the nervous system, which can help if you're prone to jitters or caffeine-related anxiety.
• High in antioxidants: Decaf retains much of the chlorogenic acid and polyphenols found in regular coffee, which are linked to reduced inflammation and better blood sugar control.
• Reduced risk of heart conditions: It’s been found that drinking two to three cups of coffee per day, including decaf, was associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease.
• Reduced risk of type 2 diabetes: Research published in Diabetes Care found that both caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee were associated with a reduced risk of type 2 diabetes, suggesting the benefit comes from compounds other than caffeine.
• Improved mood: The compounds in decaf coffee may help elevate mood and promote relaxation.
• Lower caffeine intake: Switching to decaf is one of the simplest ways to reduce your daily caffeine consumption without giving up the taste and ritual of coffee.

High caffeine intake can also have a diuretic effect, which some people find affects their bladder, particularly those with an overactive bladder or interstitial cystitis. Decaf reduces this risk significantly while keeping the sensory experience intact.

Decaf Coffee at Crosby Coffee

Here at Crosby Coffee, we offer a wide range of decaf coffee blends to suit every taste. Our current decaf options include Decaf Colombia Tabi (notes of macadamia nuts and dark caramel) and Decaf Colombia Planadas (notes of hazelnut, Biscoff and brown sugar), both available as whole beans.

Our whole bean decaf coffees are washed and undergo a sugarcane E.A. decaffeination process to preserve the integrity of the green coffee bean, without compromising on flavour.

If you'd like to explore the world of decaf further, our Decaf Project Coffee Kit (in collaboration with James Hoffmann) showcases a wide range of decaffeination methods and flavours. You can also read our Decaf Project 2024 review or sign up for a decaf coffee subscription to receive fresh decaf coffee through your door regularly.

Shop our full decaf range today

Frequently Asked Questions

Does decaf coffee raise blood pressure?

In most cases, no. Studies show that switching from regular to decaf produces only a very slight decrease in blood pressure, not a rise. The exception is people who rarely drink coffee at all; their bodies haven't adapted to coffee's compounds yet, so even decaf can cause a small, temporary increase.

Can you drink decaf coffee if you have high blood pressure?

Yes. Decaf is widely considered a safe option for people with hypertension. With just 2–5 mg of caffeine per cup (compared to up to 140 mg in regular coffee), it's far less likely to trigger a blood pressure spike. That said, if you've been diagnosed with hypertension, it's always worth checking with your GP before changing your diet.

Is decaf coffee better for blood pressure than regular coffee?

Research suggests switching from regular to decaf is associated with a small but measurable decrease in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure. The key factor is caffeine: because decaf contains very little, it is a more suitable option for those monitoring their blood pressure.

How much caffeine is in decaf coffee?

Around 2–5 mg per cup, compared to 70–140 mg in a standard filter coffee. The decaffeination process removes roughly 97% of the original caffeine content, though the exact amount varies depending on the method used and the origin of the bean.