Espresso vs sugar-free energy drink: which is healthier?

They are about equally nutrient-dense: espresso scores 85/100 and sugar-free energy drink 83/100, 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.

Espresso

85/100Excellent nutrient density

9 kcal per 100 g. 1 shot (30 ml): 30 g

Sugar-free energy drink

83/100Excellent nutrient density

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

Which to pick for your goal

Fewer caloriesSugar-free energy drink9 vs 4 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 sugarAbout even0 vs 0 g per 100 g
More potassiumEspresso115 vs 0 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	Espresso, 100 g	Sugar-free energy drink, 100 g	Espresso, 30 g	Sugar-free energy drink, 260 g
Calories	9 kcal	4 kcal	3 kcal	10 kcal
Protein	0.1 g	0.4 g	<0.1 g	1.1 g
Carbohydrates	1.7 g	0.4 g	0.5 g	1.1 g
Sugars	0 g	0 g	0 g	0 g
Fiber	0 g	0 g	0 g	0 g
Fat	0.2 g	0 g	<0.1 g	0 g
Saturated fat	<0.1 g	0 g	<0.1 g	0 g
Vitamin C	0.2 mg	25 mg	<0.1 mg	65 mg
Vitamin A	0 µg	0 µg	0 µg	0 µg
Potassium	115 mg	0 mg	35 mg	0 mg
Iron	0.1 mg	0 mg	<0.1 mg	0 mg
Calcium	2 mg	0 mg	0.6 mg	0 mg
Magnesium	80 mg	0 mg	24 mg	0 mg
Sodium	14 mg	42 mg	4.2 mg	109 mg

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

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