3 Reasons Why You Should Drink Black Coffee

There are two types of people in the world: those who like their coffee black and those who feel the need to spruce up their cup of Joe with unhealthy add-ons like sugar, sweetener, milk, cream, or half and half to the party. According to new research, those who like their coffee au naturel are being a bit kinder to their health.

Based on research from the University of Illinois, here are three reasons why it might make sense to keep your days brighter by keeping your coffee blacker.

1. CALORIE SURGE

In a study that featured more than 19,000 adult participants, researchers from the University of Illinois discovered that 67.5% of those polled used add-ons in their coffee, thus raising the beverage’s calorie count. On average, those who used add-ins with their coffee, wound up drinking 69% more calories, daily, than those who stayed in the black.

“The daily intakes may seem small, but the extra calories every day can add up to extra pounds,” commented professor Ruopeng An from the University of Illinois during an interview with The Sun U.K.

2. JUNK FOOD FIX

For those who like to dazzle up their coffees, researchers determined that these individuals tend to have worse diets than those who drink black coffee. In all, it was discovered that coffee drinkers who add the likes of sugar, sweetener, milk, cream, or half and half, tend to have diets more riddled with sugar, fat and saturated fats than black coffee consumers.

Researchers didn’t dive into why this is the case, but one would have to assume that the donut, pastry and sweet treat options placed near coffee at eateries and business meetings play a factor.

3. FLYING SOLO = ADD-IN DEPENDENCY

Even though many people consume coffee together at restaurants, offices or social gatherings, researchers still view coffee drinking as a relatively isolated, solo activity. While that doesn’t necessarily sound like a bad thing, it’s theorized that those who drink coffee alone are prone to ingest more unhealthy add-ins. 

“Unlike other popular beverages including alcohol and sugar-sweetened beverages that are typically consumed in isolation, many people prefer drinking coffee and tea with add-ins like sugar or cream,” reads the University of Illinois study. “These add-in items are often dense in energy and fat but low in nutritional value.”

Maybe it’s time to go back to basic black?

-Adam Grant