Coffee Nutrition Facts

Coffee lovers around the world reach for their morning brew without much thought about the nutritional value of this beverage. While some early research linked it to health problems, studies have since shown that if consumed in moderation (two to five cups daily), coffee can actually decrease your risk of death from heart disease, diabetes and Parkinson’s disease, as well as reduce the likelihood of liver cirrhosis and improve digestion.

Although coffee contains caffeine, it’s also an excellent source of antioxidants, which help neutralize free radicals that damage cells and contribute to inflammation, aging and disease. It also contains moderate amounts of the B vitamins riboflavin, pantothenic acid and potassium. A cup of plain, black coffee has no fat but adding milk or a low-fat milk alternative will boost the calorie count to about 2 calories per serving.

In addition, studies show that drinking one to two cups of coffee a day helps control blood sugar levels and may prevent Type 2 diabetes. The chlorogenic acid and kahweol in coffee beans are believed to have this effect. It’s possible that drinking coffee might even lower your risk of Type 1 diabetes, too, because these compounds might reduce the absorption of glucose from high-carbohydrate foods and slow the rise in blood sugar after a meal. However, you should still monitor your blood sugar and not drink coffee if you have a serious glucose-control problem or are on insulin therapy. Coffee can also increase anxiety and is not recommended for people with glaucoma or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). For these groups, it’s best to stick with tea.