Coffee is a beloved morning beverage that provides both caffeine and energy boosts, but many question if it’s healthier than soda. While drinking in moderation may be beneficial to health, too much sugar or caffeine could pose health issues. Plus, coffee also contains antioxidants and nutrients which may contribute to improved overall wellbeing.

One key difference between coffee and soda lies in their caloric intake; one can of regular soda has 150 calories or 9 teaspoons of sugar, leading to obesity and other health concerns. On the other hand, coffee contains significantly less than half as much sugar but provides essential nutrients such as potassium and vitamin B3.

Coffee and soda contain caffeine; however, their caffeine levels can differ considerably, so be sure to read labels and adhere to your recommended daily allowance of adults. A 12-ounce can of soda typically has 140 to 300 milligrams while tall Starbucks coffee typically only contains 35-50 milligrams.

Decaf coffee can also help reduce caffeine in your diet by providing an alternative source. While caffeinated coffee provides greater health benefits than its decaf counterpart, decaf offers a healthy option for those not looking to entirely give up caffeine in their diets. Decaf may help people who struggle sleeping sleep faster while simultaneously increasing mental alertness and concentration levels.