Last Updated on December 10, 2022 by brewthatcoffee
Coffee is a very personal thing, especially for daily drinkers. There are seemingly endless ways to customize your cup from sugar, milk, cream, syrups, and even spices. You’re probably wondering how many calories these add-ins tack on. Keep reading to find out the number of calories in black coffee and common additives.
By itself, a single cup of black coffee has 2.4 calories.
That’s practically nothing, which is why many will claim that black coffee doesn’t have any calories at all. However, it’s best for you to know the specific calorie count.
So if you were concerned that your morning black coffee is working against your health goals, worry not.
Unless you are adding other ingredients to your coffee, you can actually expect a decent amount of health benefits.
If you prefer a little something in your coffee, you will want to check out the table below to find out how many calories and grams of sugar you’re tacking on. This is especially true if you consume more than one cup a day.
Calories & Sugar in Popular Coffee Add-Ins
| Add-in | Calories | Sugar (g) |
| White Sugar (1 tsp) | 16 | 4.2 |
| Brown Sugar (1tsp) | 17 | 4.5 |
| Coconut Sugar (1 tsp) | 18 | 5 |
| Cinnamon (1 tsp) | 19 | 0.2 |
| Nutmeg (1 tsp) | 37 | 2 |
| Condensed Milk (1 fl oz) | 123 | 21 |
| Almond Milk-Unsweetened (.5 cup) | 20 | <1 |
| Whole Milk (.5 cup) | 74.5 | 6 |
| Cashew Milk-Unsweetened (.5 cup) | 12.5 | 0 |
| Stevia | 0 | 0 |
| Monk Fruit Sweetener | 0 | 0 |
| MCT Oil (1 tbsp) | 116 | 0 |
| Grass-fed Butter (1 tbsp) | 102 | <1 |
| Starbucks® Cinnamon Dolce Creamer (1 tbsp) | 40 | 6 |
Want to cut back on calories but still enjoy a flavorful coffee? Check out these brewing methods to learn which brewers will give you the taste you seek.
Health Benefits of Black Coffee
Increased Energy Levels
Those who drink coffee throughout the day experience a boost in energy levels since caffeine is a stimulant. It can also improve focus, mood, and mental clarity (1,2).
Better Reaction Times
Coffee contains a high amount of caffeine which can lead to increased performance on cognitive tasks (3).
Fat Burning & Physical Performance
Regular caffeine consumption has been shown to increase the resting metabolic rate of consumers by 3-4% (4). To sweeten the deal, caffeine has been shown to increase fat burning, although at varying rates, in test subjects-10% for obese subjects and 29% for lean subjects (5).
Frequently Asked Questions
Final Thoughts
So now we know the number of calories in black coffee and the common add-ins.
As you can see, coffee is versatile. You can customize your black cup by adding simple sugars, flavored syrups, or even spices to taste. If you’re looking for ways to cut calories without sacrificing taste, try drinking unsweetened coffee and add in some other natural flavors like cinnamon if necessary.
Also, consider drinking it via traditional brewing methods like French press or pour-over, which produce a richer, fuller flavor than instant coffee. Finally, remember that black coffee has health benefits like weight control and appetite suppression- so drink up!
Please let us know if you have a favorite calorie-conscious way of preparing your coffee. Thanks for reading.
Sources:
(1) Hindmarch, I., Rigney, U., Stanley, N. et al. A naturalistic investigation of the effects of day-long consumption of tea, coffee and water on alertness, sleep onset and sleep quality. Psychopharmacology 149, 203–216 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1007/s002130000383
(2) Ruxton, Carrie. (2008). The impact of caffeine on mood, cognitive function, performance and hydration: A review of benefits and risks. Nutrition Bulletin. 33. 15 – 25. 10.1111/j.1467-3010.2007.00665.x.
(3) Brice, C.F., Smith, A.P. Effects of caffeine on mood and performance: a study of realistic consumption. Psychopharmacology 164, 188–192 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00213-002-1175-2
(4) Dulloo AG, Geissler CA, Horton T, Collins A, Miller DS. Normal caffeine consumption: influence on thermogenesis and daily energy expenditure in lean and postobese human volunteers. Am J Clin Nutr. 1989 Jan;49(1):44-50. doi: 10.1093/ajcn/49.1.44. PMID: 2912010.
(5) Acheson KJ, Gremaud G, Meirim I, Montigon F, Krebs Y, Fay LB, Gay LJ, Schneiter P, Schindler C, Tappy L. Metabolic effects of caffeine in humans: lipid oxidation or futile cycling? Am J Clin Nutr. 2004 Jan;79(1):40-6. doi: 10.1093/ajcn/79.1.40. PMID: 14684395.