Quick Answer
Yes, instant black coffee does contain calories, though very few. On average, an 8 oz cup of black coffee made from instant coffee granules contains around 2 calories. The calories come from trace amounts of fat, protein, and carbs in the coffee beans. However, the calorie content is negligible compared to drinks with added cream, sugar, or flavorings. Black coffee is considered a calorie-free beverage since it contains less than 5 calories per serving.
Calories in Instant vs Brewed Coffee
There is very little difference in calories between instant coffee and regular brewed coffee. Here is a comparison of the average calories per 8 oz serving:
| Type of Coffee | Calories |
|---|---|
| Instant coffee granules | 2 calories |
| Drip coffee | 2 calories |
| Espresso | 0 calories |
As you can see, instant, drip, and espresso coffee when prepared black contain roughly 0-2 calories per 8 oz cup. The minor differences can be accounted to small natural variations in the coffee beans.
So a cup of black instant coffee contains only trace calories, similar to other types of black coffee. The instant coffee granules themselves are not high in calories.
Calories from Coffee Beans
The calories in black instant coffee come from the coffee beans used to make it.
Coffee beans contain the following macronutrients:
- Protein – 0.4%
- Fat – 11-17%
- Carbohydrates – 33-50%
During the process of roasting, brewing, and dehydrating the beans to make instant coffee, these macronutrients remain in trace amounts:
- Fat – 0.2 grams per serving
- Protein – 0.3 grams per serving
- Carbs – 0.3 grams per serving
Given the standard calorie counts:
- Fat – 9 calories per gram
- Protein – 4 calories per gram
- Carbs – 4 calories per gram
The total calories contributed by the fat, protein, and carbs in an instant coffee serving adds up to around 2 calories.
So the instant coffee itself is not high in calories, but it’s the beans that contribute the minimal amount of calories found in black coffee.
Calories with Additions
Plain instant black coffee is low calorie, but what you add to the coffee can significantly increase the calorie content:
- Sugar: 1 teaspoon of white sugar is about 15 calories. Adding 2 teaspoons boosts coffee calories to 30.
- Cream: 1 tablespoon of half & half contains 20 calories. Adding 2 tablespoons adds 40 calories.
- Milk: 1 cup of 2% milk has 125 calories. Adding milk instead of cream substantially increases the calories.
- Flavored creamer: 1 tablespoon of flavored creamer averages 50 calories. These add lots of calories and sugar.
- Whipped cream: Aerosol whipped cream packs about 50 calories per 2 tablespoon serving.
- Caramel, mocha, etc: Flavored syrups average about 60 calories per tablespoon.
As you can see, added cream, sugar, milk, and coffee flavorings can turn a near zero calorie beverage into a high calorie drink.
For example, a Starbucks Venti Caramel Frappuccino made with whole milk and whipped cream contains 450 calories – a huge difference from plain black coffee!
So the answer to whether instant coffee has calories is yes…when you add stuff to it. Black by itself, it’s virtually calorie-free.
Health Benefits
The low calorie count is one of the health benefits of drinking black instant coffee. Others include:
- Antioxidants – Coffee contains polyphenol antioxidants that may help lower inflammation.
- Lower diabetes risk – Studies show coffee drinkers have up to a 30% lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
- Brain function – Caffeine in coffee can improve mood, alertness, concentration and mental performance.
- Liver protection – Coffee has been linked to up to a 40% lower risk of liver diseases like cirrhosis.
- Longevity – Research shows drinking coffee is associated with a longer lifespan, up to 10-15% lower risk of death.
- Lower Parkinson’s risk – Coffee drinkers have a 32-60% lower risk of Parkinson’s disease.
- Lower depression – Drinking coffee regularly appears to reduce the risk of depression by 8-15% in women.
Most research shows the health benefits are linked to plain black coffee. The antioxidants and other compounds can provide therapeutic effects for the body and mind.
Adding milk may block the absorption of some beneficial compounds in coffee, but sugar and cream don’t appear to change antioxidant activity.
Weight Loss
Plain instant coffee can support weight loss in several ways:
- Appetite suppression – Coffee stimulates the release of PYY, a hormone that makes you feel full and reduces hunger.
- Boosts metabolism – The caffeine can increase your basal metabolic rate by up to 11% for over an hour after drinking coffee.
- Fat burning – Caffeine promotes the release of adrenaline, which signals fat cells to break down body fat.
- Improves exercise – Caffeinated coffee helps increase energy levels for better calorie-burning exercise performance.
However, adding high-calorie ingredients like cream and sugar can undermine the weight loss benefits. Leaving coffee black maximizes the appetite and fat burning potential.
Some tips for making instant coffee more weight loss friendly:
- Drink it black to avoid unnecessary calories.
- Choose smaller coffee sizes like 8 oz instead of mega 20+ oz drinks
- Flavor it with cinnamon, cocoa powder, or vanilla extract instead of syrups.
- Limit yourself to 400mg of caffeine per day maximum.
- Avoid drinking coffee before bed – it can worsen sleep quality.
Is Instant or Brewed Better?
Here is a comparison of some of the differences between instant coffee powder and freshly brewed coffee:
| Instant Coffee | Brewed Coffee | |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 2 calories per serving | 2 calories per serving |
| Caffeine content | Slightly less than brewed | Slightly more than instant |
| Antioxidants | Lower than brewed | Higher than instant |
| Shelf life | 2 years or more unopened | 2 weeks maximum |
| Flavor | Can have slightly “off” notes | Fresh, robust flavor |
| Price | Less expensive | More expensive |
| Convenience | Very fast preparation | Requires brewing time |
As you can see, instant and brewed coffee are quite similar in calorie and caffeine content. The main differences come down to flavor and convenience.
Given its negligible calories, instant coffee can be a smart on-the-go beverage choice for sticking to your diet or fat loss goals. Just avoid pumping it full of high-calorie add-ins.
Healthiest Instant Coffee Brands
If you’re looking for a healthier instant coffee, here are some low-calorie brands to consider:
- Folgers Classic Roast Instant Coffee Crystals – 0 calories per serving
- Starbucks VIA Instant Coffee Packets – 5 calories per packet
- Mt Hagen Organic Instant Coffee – 5 calories per teaspoon
- Waka Coffee Instant – 10 calories per serving
- G7 Instant 3-in-1 Coffee – 30 calories per pouch
- Nescafe Clasico Instant Coffee – 0 calories per serving
Avoid instant coffee drinks that are artificially sweetened or cream flavored. These often have added sugars and calories.
Also be wary of keto or Bulletproof instant coffee claims. These trendy blends frequently have added fats, sweeteners, and calories that contradict the purpose of plain black coffee.
How to Brew Low-Calorie Coffee
If you prefer to brew fresh coffee instead of using instant, there are a few tips to keep it low calorie:
- Always opt for black coffee without any cream or sugar.
- Choose lighter roasts which are naturally sweeter.
- Use a paper filter to brew instead of a metal reusable one.
- Opt for Arabica coffee beans over Robusta if you have a choice.
- Experiment with cold brewing which results in less acidic flavor.
- Store beans properly in an airtight container away from light and moisture.
- Enjoy coffee within 20 minutes of brewing before oxidation.
- Keep your coffee maker clean to prevent any build-up of oils.
- Use good quality purified or spring water if possible.
These tips will help you enjoy flavorful brewed coffee that maintains a calorie count on par with instant, without unnecessary additions.
Should You Avoid Instant Coffee?
There are some downsides associated with instant coffee to consider:
- Higher in acrylamide – A possible carcinogen that forms during roasting. Brewed coffee has less.
- Lower antioxidant content – Due to processing methods compared to brewed.
- Higher pH – Instant coffee is less acidic than fresh. Acidity helps release flavor.
- Maltodextrin content – Added as an anti-caking filler, spikes blood sugar.
- Less control – You rely on manufacturer’s roasting instead of doing it yourself.
- Not as environmentally friendly – Produces more greenhouse gas emissions.
- Contains preservatives – Added to improve shelf life.
However, studies show these differences have a negligible impact on health outcomes for moderate coffee drinkers.
For most people, the benefits of coffee still outweigh any associated risks – whether it’s instant or brewed. Drinking up to 3-4 cups of black coffee per day is considered safe and healthy.
But if you have high blood pressure, anxiety issues, migraines, or other conditions worsened by caffeine, you may want to avoid or limit instant coffee.
The Bottom Line
To summarize the key points:
- Instant coffee contains only 2 calories per 8 oz serving, just like regular brewed coffee.
- The calories come from trace amounts of fat, protein and carbs in the coffee beans.
- Adding cream, sugar, milk and flavored syrups hikes up the calorie count significantly.
- On its own, instant coffee provides antioxidants, vitamins, and other health benefits similar to brewed coffee.
- Drinking black instant coffee in moderation can aid weight loss, brain function, disease risk reduction, and longevity.
- Brewed coffee offers fresher flavor and aroma, but instant coffee is more convenient and has a longer shelf life.
- Both instant and brewed coffee are smart calorie-free beverage choices when consumed black.
So in summary, instant black coffee contains minimal calories – less than 5 per serving. Don’t let the convenience of instant coffee powder deter you from enjoying its many benefits guilt free!
