Is Coffee Healthy: How Many Calories Are In Coffee?

Have you heard that coffee has zero calories? Are you worried about how many calories you're drinking when you pour your morning coffee or hit the drive-through? All coffee does have calories, but it's very low-calorie if you drink it black. However, more indulgent coffee beverages are full of calories. Let’s look at how many calories are in coffee and the health benefits and risks of drinking too much. Plus, I list the average calories in coffee for the most common beverages.

Does Coffee Have Calories?

All coffees have calories, but the amount really depends on the type of coffee you drink. A 16-ounce black coffee is about 4 calories, while the same-sized latte has about 200 calories. 

If you take your coffee black, it has about 2 calories per 8-ounce cup. And it doesn't matter how you make it. French press, auto drip, pour-over, or cold brew are all very low-calorie coffee beverages. However, adding cream, sugar, or syrups can really add up.

Basic espresso drinks like cappuccinos, macchiatos, lattes, and mochas usually have 125 to 300 calories. But the more indulgent coffee drinks from the green apron or Boston donut chains have 300 to 600 calories each.

Each teaspoon of sugar is 16 calories. Dairy-based milks and creams are between 10 and 50 calories per tablespoon, depending on what you use. Soy and oat milks are about 8 calories per tablespoon. Flavored coffee creamers are usually 15 to 50 calories per tablespoon.

A pump of your favorite flavored syrup is usually 20 to 30 calories. Each tablespoon of whipped cream is between 15 and 30 calories. But many of us use way more than one tablespoon of whipped cream.

Average Coffee Calories By Beverage Type

Black coffee is a very low-calorie beverage, with just 2 calories per 8 ounces. But coffee drinks with sugar, syrup, milk, and whipped cream are much higher. Here are the average calories for the most common coffee drinks:

[Table]

Does Coffee Have Zero Calories?

Technically, coffee has about 2 to 6 calories per cup. But the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) considered food products with less than 5 calories per serving as "zero calories" or "no-calorie."

So, you can say coffee has zero calories. And as long as you are talking about black coffee, there is nothing wrong with enjoying it as a no-calorie beverage.

Coffee is definitely not zero-calorie if you use sugar, creamer, or flavored syrups. Depending on what you use, you can quickly increase the total calorie content of your coffee.

However, most sugar substitutes are generally considered zero-calorie. Again, they may contain less than 5 calories and still be labeled calorie-free.

How To Calculate The Calories In Coffee At Home

If you want to calculate the calories in your coffee, you need to get precise measurements. The coffee itself has very few calories. If you drink it black, a standard 16-ounce coffee has about 4 calories.

And there really isn't a difference in the calorie count of different coffee beans or roasts. Arabica and Robusta beans, the two main types of coffee beans, both have the same amount of calories.

The roasting process doesn't really impact calories either. You'll get the same calories from a light roast as you will from a dark or espresso roast.

But those calories will really start adding up if you use sugar, creamer, flavored syrups, or whipped cream. So, to get an accurate count of the calories, make sure you are measuring how much of each ingredient you are using.

Sugar has 16 calories per teaspoon and 48 per tablespoon. A sugar packet has 11 calories. Most sugar substitutes have 1 to 2 calories per packet. But wait, they say zero-calorie?! Yeah, you can thank the FDA for that, too.

If you add any milk or cream to your coffee, check the package for nutritional information. Measure the amount of cream you use and multiply the calories by the number of servings you use. 

The same goes for syrups, whipped cream, and other flavor additions. Then, add it all up and log the calories for your coffee. 

Is Coffee Good For You?

Listen, I'm only a coffee roaster. However, most experts generally agree that a moderate amount of coffee is healthy for the average adult. From the research that I've done, there are some positives to drinking coffee:

1. Great Source Of Antioxidants: Coffee is rich in antioxidants, specifically polyphenols, that protect your body from certain types of cell damage that lead to different diseases.
2. Alertness & Mood: Thanks to caffeine, coffee is a stimulant that can improve cognitive function, increase alertness, and even improve your mood. When the caffeine fades, so do these effects. 
3. Improve Physical Endurance: The caffeine in coffee can also increase adrenaline levels and reduce fatigue. As a result, you have better physical endurance after a cup of coffee. Again, the effects are short-lived. 
4. Increased Metabolic Rate: Caffeine will also increase metabolic rate, which means drinking coffee helps you burn more calories. But that doesn’t mean you will lose weight just by drinking coffee.
5. Better Liver Health: Scientists are still trying to understand why, but coffee is linked to a lower risk of liver diseases, including cirrhosis and cancer. And for those of us who like tasty adult beverages, it sounds like coffee is healthy to me!
6. Better Heart Health: Coffee might also be good for your heart. Studies have shown that it reduces the risk of heart failure, atrial fibrillation, and even stroke.
7. Potential Lower Risk Of Disease: According to some studies, moderate coffee consumption has been linked to reduced risk of certain diseases. This includes Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, type 2 diabetes, and certain types of cancer.

But let me stress — I'm only a coffee roaster. If you are really worried about the health effects of coffee, talk to your doctor. And I'm not talking about Web M.D. because we know the diagnosis is always cancer. 

[Web MD Meme] https://www.instagram.com/moistbuddha/p/Cjgv3GOuvK7/?img_index=1

What Are The Benefits Of Black Coffee?

There are several benefits of drinking your coffee black. Regular black coffee is an extremely low-calorie beverage and the caffeine can even stimulate your metabolism.

The caffeine in coffee can also increase alertness, improve mood, and boost brain functions. It can also improve your physical endurance and reduce fatigue. 

It is rich in antioxidants that reduce inflammation and help prevent disease. Coffee has a positive impact on both liver and heart health, limiting the chances of certain diseases. 

But it's important to remember that we are only talking about black coffee. Adding sugar and cream increases the calories in your coffee. They may decrease, or at least cancel out, some of these benefits.

Does Coffee Have Health Risks?

While there are a lot of benefits, coffee does have certain health risks. Here are the biggest health risks of coffee:

• High-Calorie Content: Sure, black coffee is low-calorie, but frozen coffee drinks are basically milkshakes. They have a little coffee, lots of cream and sugar, and plenty of customizable toppings. That's not to say you shouldn't drink them. Just remember what they really are: high-calorie desserts disguised as coffee.
• Trouble Sleeping & Insomnia: Too much coffee, especially before going to bed, can negatively impact your sleep patterns. Not only will it keep you awake, but it can reduce the quality of your sleep. It can even lead to insomnia.
• Increased Heart Rate & Blood Pressure: Caffeine can increase your heart rate and blood pressure. If you already have certain heart conditions or hypertension, coffee can make your symptoms worse.
• Digestive Issues: Coffee stimulates the production of stomach acid, which may lead to acid reflux, heartburn, or upset stomach. This is most common if you already have stomach issues or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
• Anxiety & Nervousness: The caffeine in coffee can lead to feelings of anxiety, nervousness, or jitteriness. While most common in those with anxiety disorders, too much coffee can make anyone anxious.
• Dependency & Withdrawal: Caffeine is basically a drug, and you can become dependent on it. Now, we aren't talking fentanyl-level drugs, but that headache you get when you haven't had enough coffee still isn't fun.

Coffee and more specifically caffeine, can also impact growing children, the elderly, and those who are pregnant. If you are worried about coffee, talk with a doctor.

Order Low Calorie Coffee Now 

Okay, coffee probably isn’t going to make you lose weight, but there is no reason you can’t brag to your friends that you are making healthy decisions. I’m joking. Mostly. But I do have a fresh selection of whole bean coffees, all ethically sourced. Grab some delicious beans today. You can also get coffee in bulk or order wholesale for your business or coffee shop.