Black Coffee Benefits, Side Effects & Brewing Methods

Coffee is among the world’s top three most consumed drinks, alongside water and tea. However, over the years, the opinions on coffee have continued to change, but several studies and research have shown that coffee, when consumed in moderation, can be good for health as it has lots of benefits to our health.

Black coffee, in particular, brewed using coffee beans and without any sugar or other additions, is the purest form of consuming coffee and can have multiple health benefits. Most people think of black coffee in terms of caffeine, which serves as a stimulant to increase activeness and alertness. But, coffee is also rich in antioxidants and contains many bioactive compounds like polyphenols, chlorogenic acids, cafestol & melanoidins, among others that can be beneficial for overall health. In fact, it can also aid in weight management as there are negligible calories in black coffee without sugar, making it a go-to beverage for people trying to lose or maintain their weight.

In this blog, we will cover everything around black coffee — advantages and benefits of drinking black coffee, its nutritional value, black coffee side effects, different recipes or ways to brew black coffee and more. So, let’s begin!

Generally, ground coffee beans are brewed with hot water without adding any creamer, milk, sugar or sugar substitutes to make black coffee. So, in a cup of black coffee, there are practically zero calories, fats, or carbs, making it an ideal choice of beverage for all those looking for a healthier caffeine fix to start their mornings.

Benefits of Black Coffee

If you are still thinking, “Is black coffee good for health?” here are 6 advantages of drinking black coffee without sugar that will convince you that if taken in moderation, black coffee can be beneficial for you.

1. It serves as an instant energy booster and sharpens focus.

Well, there are so many people who cannot start their day without a cup of black coffee. And that is okay, because the caffeine in coffee doesn’t just wake you up but also makes you alert, improves your reaction time and sharpens your focus. It’s also great to beat the hangover slump or that state of lethargy after a longer-than-expected afternoon nap. 

2. Supports weight loss goals

Should you drink black coffee for weight loss? Yes, it can be a great energy drink for those watching their weight or who are on their weight-loss journey. Wth practically zero calories (when consumed without sugar or milk), it doesn’t interfere with your calorie intake and may also support your metabolism, helping your body burn fat more efficiently. This is another reason why it is recommended to drink black coffee before a workout.

3. Enhances physical performance

Whether you are going for a quick run or hitting the gym for an intense workout session, having a cup of black coffee at least half an hour before any exercise can improve your endurance and physical performance. This is due to the high caffeine content that increases the adrenaline rush in the body, helping you feel more ready for action. 

4. May help in maintaining liver health

Is black coffee good for fatty liver? Well, you might be surprised to know this, but the answer is yes! Coffee can support overall liver function. Studies suggest that drinking drip-style black coffee may significantly lower the risk of developing and progression of liver diseases, including fatty liver, fibrosis, and cirrhosis.

5. May lower the risk of neurodegenerative diseases

A study found that lifelong consumption of coffee may be protective against neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s disease. 

There have been a few other studies which showed that regular caffeine intake may reduce the risk of developing or progression of Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and other such brain-related conditions. It may be due to the high antioxidant content, especially polyphenols, in the coffee that may help in reducing oxidative stress and inflammation in the brain. 

While more research is needed to confirm the effects of coffee on brain health, it is safe to say that drinking coffee in moderation can help improve or maintain your cognitive abilities in the long term.

6. Can help clear up your skin

There are many benefits of drinking black coffee for the skin. The antioxidants and other bioactive compounds in black coffee may help reduce breakouts and improve circulation, leading to a healthier-looking skin and enhancing the natural glow of your face. Interestingly, coffee is now being increasingly used as a primary ingredient in skin care, especially for exfoliation. 

Side Effects of Black Coffee

Black coffee offers multiple benefits for overall health, but there have been certain studies indicating that overconsumption of black coffee may be harmful and lead to potential side effects. 

• May disrupt sleep patterns– The caffeine content in coffee may help improve focus and boost energy but one of the main caffeine side effects is that if taken in excess, it may over-stimulate your body and mind, interfering with your sleep patterns. It may also lead to insomnia in some cases.
• Increased Anxiety or Restlessness- Again, high caffeine intake may also increase the heartbeat and lead to jitteriness. If consumed in large quantities on an empty stomach, black coffee may also heighten anxiety in some people.
• Habit-forming– Just like the addiction to any drug, you may also become habituated to caffeine if you consume it in excess. In such cases, skipping your cup of black coffee may lead to headaches, fatigue, irritability or other withdrawal symptoms. Therefore, you should consume black coffee in safe limits only, typically 2-3 cups (8-oz each) a day. 
• May cause digestive discomfort- Black coffee stimulates acid production in the stomach, so for those with acid reflux or gastritis issues, intake of black coffee, especially on an empty stomach, can cause discomfort or upset stomach.
• May affect bone health in women- Some studies suggest that drinking more than 4–5 cups of coffee a day may reduce calcium absorption, especially in women, potentially affecting their bone density over time.

What is the Count of Black Coffee Calories & Its Nutritional Value?

In 1 cup of coffee, calories are almost negligible, given that no sugars, creamer, and/or milk are added to the black coffee. 

Here’s the nutritional value of one cup of black coffee (240ml):

• Protein: 0.288 grams
• Fat: 0 grams
• Carbs: 0 grams
• Fiber: 0 grams
• Caffeine: 96 mg
• Sugars: 0 grams​
• Sodium: 4.8 milligrams​
• Potassium: 118 milligrams​
• Magnesium: 7.2 milligram
• Riboflavin: 14% of the Daily Value (DV)

1 cup of coffee protein content is in trace amounts, but being a low-calorie and high-caffeine drink, many fitness enthusiasts prefer black coffee before a workout.

Considerations to minimize the side effects of black coffee

1. The best time to drink black coffee is between 9:30 am to 11:30 am as your cortisol levels are lower, and you may get the maximum benefit of that caffeine dose during these hours.
2. When to drink black coffee for weight loss? It is usually recommended to have your hot cup of coffee 30-45 minutes before your workout to get your adrenaline rush. 
3. You derive maximum health benefits from black coffee without sugar, milk, or other additions. 
4. If you are wondering, “Can we drink black coffee empty stomach?” the answer depends on your body’s response to drinking black coffee on an empty stomach. This is because, for some people, it works, but for others, having coffee on an empty stomach may aggravate their digestive issues and acid reflux.

4 Popular Ways to Brew Yourself a Perfect Cup Of Black Coffee

When it comes to the taste of black coffee, every person has different preferences — some may like it strong and others may prefer a milder flavour. So, there may be many ways to prepare black coffee, you might want to experiment with them to know what suits your taste the most. 

• Espresso– It is the most commonly available form of black coffee. It is made by forcing hot water through finely ground coffee under high pressure. The result — a bold shot of black coffee with a strong, intense and concentrated flavour.
• Drip Brew: Another classic and easy way of making black coffee, this method uses a drip machine or filter cone where hot water slowly passes through the ground coffee beans, giving a mild and well-balanced cup of black coffee.
• French Press: For those who prefer strong taste and aroma, a French press is an ideal way of preparing black coffee. Coarsely ground coffee & hot water steep in a pitcher for a few minutes before being pressed and separated using a plunger. 
• Cold Brew: As the name suggests, in this method, black coffee is brewed without heat. It’s made by steeping coarsely ground coffee in cold water, ideally for 12-24 hours, in a refrigerator. This lowers the acidic content and gives a smoother flavour. 

In the Nutshell

Black coffee is more than just a morning caffeine fix that most people assume it to be. When consumed in moderation, coffee can help with weight loss, improve skin health, support brain health and have many other health benefits. So, the key is to balance the intake —- the right amount can reap multiple benefits, excessive intake over time may lead to unwanted side effects.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Is black coffee good for health?

Ans. Yes, drinking black coffee in moderation can have many health benefits. It can boost energy, aid liver health, help clear out skin and may reduce the risk of conditions like type 2 diabetes, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s.

Q2. Is black coffee good for fatty liver?

Ans. Black coffee may support liver health. Some studies suggest that the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties in black coffee may improve liver enzyme levels, lowering the risk of fatty liver disease.

Q3. When to drink black coffee for weight loss?

Ans. Black coffee can boost metabolism and help in fat burning, so the best time to drink black coffee for weight loss is 30 minutes before the workout.

Q4. What are the side effects of black coffee?

Ans. Excessive coffee drinking may cause side effects like anxiety, sleeplessness, digestive discomfort and a faster heartbeat.

Q5. How to make black coffee for fat loss?

Ans. For fat loss, you should just brew the coffee without any sugar, sugar substitutes and milk. Just brew high-quality ground coffee and water using any method such as pour-over, French Press or drip. For optimal results, drink it at least 30 minutes prior to a workout.

Q6. Is it healthy to drink black coffee every day?

Ans. Yes, drinking 1–3 cups of black coffee without any added sugars (or 300-400 mg of total caffeine) daily is generally considered safe and healthy.

Q7. How much caffeine is in black coffee?

Ans. Generally, one cup of black coffee (around 240 ml) typically contains 95 mg of caffeine, though the amount may vary based on bean type and brew method.

Q8. Does black coffee have any calories?

Ans. If made without adding any sugars, sugar substitutes and milk, black coffee has less than 5 calories, i.e. it is almost a calorie-free drink, making it ideal for those watching their weight.

Q9. Can we drink black coffee on an empty stomach?

Ans. While it is generally considered safe to drink black coffee on an empty stomach, it may lead to digestive discomfort in some people due to an increase in stomach acid, causing acid reflux. So, you should try it in small amounts to test if it suits you or not. Or you may also consume it after a light meal.

Q10. Does black coffee dehydrate you?

Ans. The caffeine is known to have a mild diuretic effect, but drinking black coffee in moderation should not dehydrate you. People who drink black coffee daily may develop a natural tolerance to this effect. However, if you are on diuretic medication, you should consult your doctor before adding black coffee to your diet.