Black coffee is a staple of many people’s diets and is widely believed to be a low or no-calorie beverage. While black coffee does contain very few calories, it isn’t completely calorie-free.
The United States Department of Agriculture states that an average cup of black coffee (brewed with tap water and no additives) is 2.37 Calories (kcal). A standard cup of black coffee typically contains two calories per 8 ounces (237 milliliters). This amount of black coffee provides very few calories but can still help you reach your daily caloric goals.
It’s important to note that black coffee is calorie-free before using additional ingredients such as cream, sugar, or syrups. While black coffee itself does not contain many calories, these added ingredients can significantly increase the number of calories in the beverage.
For example, adding one tablespoon (15 milliliters) of heavy cream to black coffee adds approximately 52 calories. Similarly, 1 tablespoon (21 milliliters) of honey adds 64 calories while the same amount of granulated sugar adds 48 calories.
It’s the Coffee BeansÂ
Coffee beans offer insight into why in most cases, black coffee contains limited calories level. After harvesting and exposure to heat, the coffee beans take a rich brown color commonly known as coffee. Guess what, a tablespoon of ground coffee contains an average of 18 calories. When poured into water, natural sugars and oils dissolve. This only further reduces the calories unless one uses additives. Drinking plain black coffee helps keep calorie uptake in check.
Overall, black coffee is considered a low-calorie beverage but it still contains some calories. If you’re looking to maintain a healthy weight, it’s important to consider the added calories that come from creams, sugars, and syrups in black coffee. It is possible to enjoy black coffee without adding any additional ingredients for a low-calorie beverage.
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FAQs
Is drinking black coffee good for weight loss?
Yes, black coffee is generally considered to be a low-calorie drink and black coffee can help with weight loss. However, it’s essential to consider the additional calories that come from added ingredients such as cream and sugar.
Does black coffee contain caffeine?
Yes, black coffee contains moderate amounts of caffeine, typically around 95 mg per cup (237 milliliters). However, the amount of caffeine can vary depending on the coffee beans used and how they are brewed.