Black tea vs coffee: which is healthier?

They are about equally nutrient-dense: black tea scores 16/100 and coffee 19/100, so pick by your goal. Both can be part of a healthy diet; the table below shows where each one is stronger. Source: USDA FoodData Central.

Black tea

16/100Low nutrient density

1 kcal per 100 g. 1 cup (240 ml): 237 g

Coffee

19/100Low nutrient density

1 kcal per 100 g. 1 cup (240 ml): 237 g

Which to pick for your goal

Fewer caloriesAbout even1 vs 1 kcal per 100 g
More proteinAbout even0 vs 0.1 g per 100 g
More fiberAbout even0 vs 0 g per 100 g
Less sugarAbout even0 vs 0 g per 100 g
More potassiumCoffee37 vs 49 mg per 100 g
Less saturated fatAbout even<0.1 vs <0.1 g per 100 g

Nutrition side by side

Per 100 g and per typical portion. Bold marks the better value for each row.
Nutrient	Black tea, 100 g	Coffee, 100 g	Black tea, 237 g	Coffee, 237 g
Calories	1 kcal	1 kcal	2 kcal	2 kcal
Protein	0 g	0.1 g	0 g	0.3 g
Carbohydrates	0.3 g	0 g	0.7 g	0 g
Sugars	0 g	0 g	0 g	0 g
Fiber	0 g	0 g	0 g	0 g
Fat	0 g	<0.1 g	0 g	<0.1 g
Saturated fat	<0.1 g	<0.1 g	<0.1 g	<0.1 g
Vitamin C	0 mg	0 mg	0 mg	0 mg
Vitamin A	0 µg	0 µg	0 µg	0 µg
Potassium	37 mg	49 mg	88 mg	116 mg
Iron	<0.1 mg	<0.1 mg	<0.1 mg	<0.1 mg
Calcium	0 mg	2 mg	0 mg	4.7 mg
Magnesium	3 mg	3 mg	7.1 mg	7.1 mg
Sodium	3 mg	2 mg	7.1 mg	4.7 mg

Last updated October 8, 2026. Scores use the HowHealthyIs Score method.

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