Coffee, one of the most commonly consumed beverages in America, is made by steeping roasted and finely ground coffee beans in water. While brewing coffee, nutrients and beneficial compounds from the coffee beans enter the water and contribute to the nutritional value of coffee. Specifically, coffee contains small amounts of several vitamins and minerals that benefit your health.
Vitamin B-2
One vitamin found in coffee is vitamin B-2, also called riboflavin. According to the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University, riboflavin helps carry out a number of chemical reactions — called oxidation/reduction reactions — that allow for the breakdown of nutrients from your diet. Deficiencies in vitamin B-2 can prove harmful, leading to an inflamed tongue, painful peeling of the lips and scaly skin. Consuming sources of riboflavin, such as coffee and nonfat milk, can help prevent this deficiency.
Vitamin B-5
Another vitamin found in coffee is vitamin B-5, or pantothenic acid. Once absorbed by the body, vitamin B-5 helps maintain the health of your digestive tract, supports the function of your adrenal glands and helps produce red blood cells, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. In addition, vitamin B-5 may help promote wound healing and may help alleviate rheumatoid arthritis. Consume coffee, along with other foods rich in vitamin B-5, such as milk, salmon and a number of vegetables, to prevent vitamin B-5 deficiency.
Calcium
One mineral found in small amounts in coffee is calcium. Calcium plays a role in nerve cell signaling, allows for cell-to-cell communication within your body and also contributes to the mineralized tissue in bone, according to the Linus Pauling Institute. Without adequate calcium consumption, you may experience an increased risk of osteoporosis and may even cause kidney failure. Though coffee may not present a rich source of calcium, consuming coffee along with other calcium-rich foods, such as milk and other dairy products, contributes to your daily calcium intake.
Magnesium
Coffee also contains small amounts of the essential mineral magnesium. The magnesium in coffee helps support your heart functioning, allows for muscle contraction, makes up a component of your teeth and bones, and contributes to the production of energy within your cells, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Though coffee itself may contain only small amounts of magnesium, pairing your morning coffee with magnesium-rich foods such as whole-grain bread and nut butter provide a rich source of magnesium.