Coffee is available in many varieties including caffeinated, decaffeinated, brewed, roasted, instant, flavored, iced and ready-to-drink.
Plain coffee and espresso do not provide calories and but can contain trace amounts of vitamins and minerals primarily from the water used in brewing. However, cream, milk, sugar or other popular flavorings like chocolate and syrups commonly added to coffee can contribute significant calories. While a
12-ounce cup of coffee contains zero calories, the same size mocha latte coffee provides about 340 calories.
Coffee also contains caffeine. Depending on how it is brewed, an 8-ounce serving of regular drip coffee provides about 104 -192 mg of caffeine. A 1.5-ounce 'shot' of espresso contains between 30 to 100 mg. Even decaffeinated coffee contains a small amount of caffeine, about 2 to 4 mg per 8 ounce serving. Learn more about caffeine.
Polyphenols, substances believed to have antioxidant properties, are found in coffee and may be beneficial to your health. However, studies examining the health benefits of coffee have found mixed results.