Creamer In Coffee May Not Be As Bad As You Thought, Study Finds

Don't like the taste of black coffee but think it's the only way to reap the drink's health perks? Good news: Research shows that some coffee additives aren't as harmful to health as you might think.

A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that adding cream or nondairy creamer to coffee was not significantly linked to weight changes. 

Researchers looked at three large prospective cohorts for this study, analyzing data on coffee habits and concurrent weight changes. On average, drinking unsweetened caffeinated coffee was associated with a slight reduction in weight over a four-year period. Adding 1 teaspoon of sugar to coffee daily was associated with modest weight gain (0.09 kg, or 0.19 pound) over four years. Adding creamer or nondairy creamer to coffee made no difference in weight, nor did drinking decaffeinated coffee instead of regular.

These findings squash the idea that adding cream to coffee automatically leads to unwanted weight gain. And while researchers did find that sugary coffee increased weight gain very slightly, it did so over a four-year period. So enjoying the occasional sweetened beverage shouldn't undo an otherwise healthy diet and lifestyle. Just be wary of making it a habit, as a diet too high in added sugar can increase your risk of obesity, metabolic syndrome, and various inflammatory diseases1.

People who just can't do black coffee may be happy to know that this study suggests both cream and dairy-free creamers can be perfectly healthy additions.