Espresso, the rich, vibrant elixir at the heart of many beloved coffee beverages, offers more than just an enjoyable morning ritual. Packed with nutrients that can boost energy and enhance performance – including an abundance of antioxidants which may help fight disease – espresso’s health benefits far outstrip those found in regular coffee which typically has higher caffeine concentration. However, many may wonder whether or not espresso offers superior benefits than regular coffee (with its greater caffeine content).

Answering that question depends on your desired intake; for example, one shot of espresso contains approximately 63 mg per ounce while an 8-ounce cup of Starbucks Pike Place medium-roast coffee has around 155 mg of caffeine. Other factors that could influence its caffeine content include its brand of beans, method of brewing (French press, drip, cold brew etc) and when and how served.

On average, espresso and cappuccino beverages contain milk and sugar which add additional calories to each drink. Consumption of such drinks regularly may lead to weight gain as well as health concerns related to weight gain; additionally many are served topped with cream or whipped cream which adds even more fat into one’s body.

Comparatively, lattes or caffe mochas tend to be lower in calories and can even be made without added sugar. Opting for low-fat or non-fat dairy products as well as forgoing the addition of whipped cream are all ways of further decreasing caloric intake in coffee drinks.

Coffee, espresso and tea contain powerful plant compounds called antioxidants which protect cells of the body from damage and can even prevent disease. Furthermore, research suggests that moderate coffee or espresso consumption may lower risk of neurodegenerative conditions.

Espresso’s high-pressure brewing process – used to make cappuccinos and lattes – releases powerful antioxidants into its beverage that are believed to protect against free radical formation and fight the signs of aging in our bodies.

Research indicates that drinking espresso can also improve memory and learning capabilities in humans by helping increase dopamine production in the brain, which in turn enhances mood and focus.

Research has also demonstrated that espresso may help facilitate weight loss by suppressing appetite and increasing metabolism, possibly due to caffeine present or due to polyphenols and chlorogenic acids found in beans. Espresso may help prevent liver and colon fatty deposits by improving digestion of fatty acids in the digestive tract, and may reduce risk for type-2 diabetes by decreasing insulin resistance. Caffeine has proven beneficial in maintaining blood glucose and insulin levels. Furthermore, polyphenols present in coffee and espresso have also shown their anticholesterol capabilities by blocking production and lowering triglyceride levels – not to mention offering antioxidant, antibacterial and antifungal protection properties.