Coffee vs energy drink: which is healthier?

Coffee is more nutrient-dense, scoring 22/100 against 12/100 for energy drink. Both can be part of a healthy diet; the table below shows where each one is stronger. Source: USDA FoodData Central.

Coffee

22/100Lower nutrient density

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

Higher score

Energy drink

12/100Low nutrient density

62 kcal per 100 g. 1 can (250 ml): 260 g

Which to pick for your goal

Fewer caloriesCoffee1 vs 62 kcal per 100 g
More proteinAbout even0.1 vs 0.4 g per 100 g
More fiberAbout even0 vs 0 g per 100 g
Less sugarCoffee0 vs 14 g per 100 g
More potassiumCoffee49 vs 10 mg per 100 g
Less saturated fatAbout even<0.1 vs 0 g per 100 g

Nutrition side by side

Per 100 g and per typical portion. Bold marks the better value for each row.
Nutrient	Coffee, 100 g	Energy drink, 100 g	Coffee, 237 g	Energy drink, 260 g
Calories	1 kcal	62 kcal	2 kcal	161 kcal
Protein	0.1 g	0.4 g	0.3 g	1.1 g
Carbohydrates	0 g	15 g	0 g	39 g
Sugars	0 g	14 g	0 g	36 g
Fiber	0 g	0 g	0 g	0 g
Fat	<0.1 g	0 g	<0.1 g	0 g
Saturated fat	<0.1 g	0 g	<0.1 g	0 g
Vitamin C	0 mg	25 mg	0 mg	65 mg
Vitamin A	0 µg	0 µg	0 µg	0 µg
Potassium	49 mg	10 mg	116 mg	26 mg
Iron	<0.1 mg	0 mg	<0.1 mg	0 mg
Calcium	2 mg	0 mg	4.7 mg	0 mg
Magnesium	3 mg	0 mg	7.1 mg	0 mg
Sodium	2 mg	48 mg	4.7 mg	125 mg

Last updated November 12, 2026. Scores use the HowHealthyIs Score method.

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