How healthy is espresso?
Is espresso healthy? Yes, in moderate amounts. Espresso scores 85/100 on the HowHealthyIs Score: 100 g provides 9 kcal and 80 mg magnesium. Espresso is coffee brewed under pressure into a small, concentrated shot. It has almost no calories and more caffeine per sip than brewed coffee, though a single shot has less than a full mug. Source: USDA FoodData Central.
Score explained
The score compares nutrient density per 100 kcal across every food we cover (NRF9.3 method). Espresso ranks higher than 85% of them.
Counts in favor (% daily value per 100 kcal)
- Magnesium95%
- Potassium12%
- Iron4%
- Protein1%
- Vitamin C1%
- Calcium1%
- Vitamin E0%
- Fiber0%
- Vitamin A0%
Counts against
- Saturated fat2%
- Added sugars0%
- Sodium3%
Raw NRF9.3: 114 minus 5 = 109. The score is not a verdict on whether to eat a food; portion, the whole meal and your own health matter more. Full methodology
How many calories are in espresso?
| Nutrient | Per 100 g | Per portion | %DV |
|---|---|---|---|
| Energy and macronutrients | |||
| Calories | 9 kcal | 3 kcal | |
| Protein | 0.1 g | <0.1 g | 0% |
| Carbohydrates | 1.7 g | 0.5 g | 0% |
| Fiber | 0 g | 0 g | 0% |
| Sugars | 0 g | 0 g | |
| Added sugars | 0 g | 0 g | 0% |
| Fat | 0.2 g | <0.1 g | 0% |
| Saturated fat | <0.1 g | <0.1 g | 0% |
| Omega-3 fats | 0 g | 0 g | |
| Vitamins | |||
| Vitamin A | 0 µg | 0 µg | 0% |
| Vitamin C | 0.2 mg | <0.1 mg | 0% |
| Vitamin D | 0 µg | 0 µg | 0% |
| Vitamin E | <0.1 mg | <0.1 mg | 0% |
| Vitamin K | 0.1 µg | <0.1 µg | 0% |
| Vitamin B12 | 0 µg | 0 µg | 0% |
| Folate | 1 µg | 0.3 µg | 0% |
| Minerals | |||
| Calcium | 2 mg | 0.6 mg | 0% |
| Iron | 0.1 mg | <0.1 mg | 0% |
| Potassium | 115 mg | 35 mg | 1% |
| Magnesium | 80 mg | 24 mg | 6% |
| Zinc | <0.1 mg | <0.1 mg | 0% |
| Sodium | 14 mg | 4.2 mg | 0% |
Source: USDA FoodData Central, "Beverages, coffee, brewed, espresso, restaurant-prepared" (FDC 171891). Values rounded.
Why is espresso good for you?
A typical portion does not supply 10% or more of the daily value for any of the nine nutrients we score.
Good ways to use it
- A quick coffee with no calories
- The base of lattes and cappuccinos made at home
What should you watch out for?
- Count each shot toward your daily caffeine; double shots in milk drinks add up. Sugar and syrups change it more than the coffee does.
Which drinks score higher?
Other drinks with more nutrition per calorie. Variety matters more than picking one winner.