Black Coffee Nutritional Information

Nearly 54 percent of Americans drink coffee daily, and 25 percent drink it occasionally, reports the Coffee Research Institute. If you're a regular coffee drinker, you may be concerned about how it affects your health. Black coffee, without additives, has little nutritional value. You should be aware of coffee's impact on health, both good and bad.

Effects

Coffee is considered nutritionally empty because there is no nutritional value in it. You will have increased mental alertness and concentration after drinking coffee, due to caffeine. Even decaffeinated coffee contains small amounts of caffeine. The caffeine in coffee fights morning fatigue and may increase work performance. Caffeine also is a diuretic and increases urine output, which may lead to dehydration. Drink water to avoid dehydration and irritation caused by caffeine.

Caffeine

Different types of coffee have different amounts of caffeine. One 8 oz. cup of brewed black coffee contains between 95 and 200mg of caffeine. Brewed decaffeinated has between 2 and 12mg of caffeine. Instant black coffee contains between 27 and 173mg of caffeine, while decaffeinated instant has 2 to 12mg.

Considerations

Black coffee contains few nutrients. One 8 oz. cup of brewed black coffee contains 2 calories, and is fat- and cholesterol-free. Each cup contains 5mg of sodium, 0.3mg of protein and 116mg of potassium. Adding sweeteners to black coffee greatly increases sugar content and calories. Adding 1 tbsp. sugar adds 49 calories.

Prevention/Solution

Drinking large amounts of coffee and suddenly stopping may lead to withdrawal symptoms. A large amount of coffee is considered 500mg or more. Headaches, irritability and mood swings are some of the withdrawal symptoms. Symptoms may appear even if you drink as little as one cup of coffee a day. Slowly decrease the amount of coffee you drink to avoid symptoms. Attempt to drink one less cup a day for about a week, and continue to reduce the coffee every week until you reach your goal.

Risks and Benefits

According to MayoClinic.com, there are no health risks with moderate coffee consumption. It was previously believed that coffee consumption could lead to heart disease or cancer, which is now confirmed untrue. A 2010 Dutch study found people who consumed between two and four cups of coffee daily had a 20 percent less chance of suffering from heart disease, MedlinePlus reports. Earlier studies did not take into account that heavy coffee drinkers also consumed large amounts of alcohol and smoked cigarettes, MayoClinic.com reports. Coffee consumption may prevent Parkinson's disease, Type 2 diabetes and liver cancer.