A recent trial tested whether decaffeinated coffee would stimulate the nervous system the way regular coffee does, thereby raising blood pressure and heart attack risk. It was found that even without the caffeine, a triple decaf espresso still managed to trigger this undesirable effect. However, my real concern with decaf coffee is that, if you are trying to cut back on caffeine, drinking decaf does little to stop your behavioral craving for the stuff. I' d suggest drinking something else entirely. Rooibosch tea is a great alternative, as are the many delicious herbal teas on offer these days (they' re very different from the dusty, rather tasteless blends of yore).