US coffee calorie intake rises due to increased additives

A study from researchers at Tufts University’s Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy reveals that while the volume of coffee consumed by Americans remained stable between 2003 and 2018, the calories associated with coffee consumption increased significantly.

Analyzing data from over 30,000 adults via the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), researchers found that average daily calories from coffee rose from 43 kcal to 60 kcal. This nearly 40 percent increase is primarily attributed to the rising use of non-dairy creamer, which saw its caloric contribution more than double from under 8 calories to nearly 19 calories per day.

By the 2017-2018 period, non-dairy creamer became the leading source of added calories in coffee, surpassing sugar, syrup, and dairy milk. While moderate coffee consumption is often linked to health benefits, researchers noted that the addition of sugar and saturated fats from creamers may offset these advantages.