How much vitamin C is in 1 cup of orange juice from concentrate?

December 8, 2025 •

4 min read

According to nutritional data from the University of Rochester Medical Center, a single 8-ounce cup of orange juice reconstituted from concentrate contains approximately 96.86 milligrams of vitamin C. This amount can help you easily meet the daily recommended intake for most adults, making it an excellent source of this vital nutrient.

Quick Summary

One 8-ounce serving of orange juice made from concentrate typically provides over 90 mg of vitamin C, satisfying or exceeding the daily recommended amount for most adults. The exact level can fluctuate based on processing and fortification.

Key Points

High Vitamin C Content: A single 8-ounce cup of orange juice reconstituted from concentrate contains approximately 96.86 mg of vitamin C, meeting or exceeding the Daily Value for most adults.
Meets Daily Requirements: Just one serving is typically enough to cover the daily recommended intake of 90 mg for men and 75 mg for women.
Influenced by Processing: While some vitamin C is lost during heat processing, freezing helps preserve it, and fortification is common to maintain high levels.
Provides Other Nutrients: In addition to vitamin C, this juice offers beneficial nutrients like folate, potassium, and antioxidants.
Supports Immune and Skin Health: The vitamin C helps boost the immune system, promotes collagen production for healthy skin, and acts as a powerful antioxidant.
Nutrient Stability: Vitamin C is sensitive to light, heat, and air, so proper storage in the refrigerator after mixing helps preserve its potency.

The Average Vitamin C Content in Orange Juice from Concentrate

When prepared as directed, a standard one-cup (8-ounce) serving of orange juice from frozen concentrate is a rich source of vitamin C. Based on data from medical and nutritional databases, a typical 8-ounce serving can contain around 96.86 milligrams of total ascorbic acid. This single serving alone is a significant contributor to your daily nutritional needs. For context, the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for vitamin C is 90 mg for adult men and 75 mg for adult women, meaning a single glass often provides 100% or more of the recommended daily value.

Factors That Influence Vitamin C Levels

The vitamin C content in your orange juice can be influenced by several factors, including the processing methods used, storage time, and whether it has been fortified. Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is sensitive to heat, light, and oxygen, and its levels can degrade over time.

Processing: The concentration process typically involves heating to remove water, but modern methods are designed to minimize nutrient loss. Freezing the concentrate also helps preserve the vitamin C until it is reconstituted and consumed. A study from 2002 found that frozen concentrate had higher initial vitamin C levels compared to some ready-to-drink options.
Fortification: Many commercial brands of orange juice from concentrate are fortified with additional vitamin C to ensure a consistently high level, regardless of initial processing losses. This helps to guarantee that each serving delivers the amount stated on the nutrition label.
Storage: Once mixed, the vitamin C content in the juice will slowly begin to degrade, especially if exposed to air and light. Consuming the juice relatively soon after mixing and keeping it refrigerated in its original container can help maximize its nutritional value.

Comparison: Vitamin C in Different Orange Juice Types

To better understand the nutritional profile, it's useful to compare orange juice from concentrate with other common forms. The table below illustrates the typical vitamin C content and key characteristics of different types of orange juice.


Juice Type	Vitamin C (approx. per 8 oz cup)	Key Processing Factors	Comparison Points
Reconstituted from Concentrate	96.86 mg	Heating (initially) to remove water; Frozen to preserve nutrients; Reconstituted before serving.	Generally meets or exceeds 100% DV; Often fortified for consistency.
Freshly Squeezed (Home)	Higher, potentially >120 mg	No heat treatment; Not pasteurized; Minimal processing.	Highest initial vitamin C; Degrades faster than commercial types; No additives.
Pasteurized (Not From Concentrate)	27–65 mg (initially)	Heat pasteurization to ensure safety and extend shelf-life.	Heat treatment reduces initial vitamin C content compared to fresh and often frozen concentrate.

More Than Just Vitamin C

While the high vitamin C content is a major selling point, orange juice from concentrate provides other essential nutrients that contribute to overall health. These include:

Folate (Vitamin B9): Crucial for cell division and DNA formation, and particularly important during pregnancy. An 8-ounce cup can provide a good percentage of the daily value.
Potassium: An important electrolyte that helps regulate blood pressure and supports proper nerve and muscle function.
Antioxidants: Beyond vitamin C, orange juice contains other antioxidants, such as flavonoids, which help combat oxidative stress in the body.

Health Benefits of Your Daily Glass

Including a glass of orange juice from concentrate in your diet, as part of a balanced nutritional plan, offers several health advantages, mainly due to its vitamin C content.

Immune System Support: Vitamin C is well-known for its role in supporting the immune system. It helps to stimulate the production of white blood cells, which are crucial for fighting off infections.
Skin and Tissue Health: As a critical component in the synthesis of collagen, vitamin C is essential for maintaining healthy skin, cartilage, and blood vessels. It aids in the healing of wounds and keeps skin supple and elastic.
Enhanced Iron Absorption: Vitamin C can significantly improve the absorption of iron from plant-based foods. This is particularly beneficial for those following a vegetarian or vegan diet.
Antioxidant Protection: Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that helps protect your cells from damage caused by harmful free radicals. This can reduce inflammation and may lower the risk of developing certain chronic diseases over time.

Is More Vitamin C Always Better?

While consuming a sufficient amount of vitamin C is crucial, it is a water-soluble vitamin, and the body doesn't store excess amounts. The Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL) for adults is set at 2,000 mg per day. Very high intakes from supplements, typically over 2 grams, can cause side effects like digestive upset. However, a cup of orange juice from concentrate is well within safe limits and unlikely to cause any adverse effects.

Conclusion

A single 8-ounce cup of orange juice from concentrate is a very efficient way to get a significant boost of vitamin C, easily covering the average adult's daily requirement. While processing and storage can cause minor fluctuations, modern manufacturing methods and fortification ensure its nutritional potency. When enjoyed in moderation as part of a healthy diet, it offers numerous benefits, from bolstering your immune system to enhancing skin health. For further information on recommended nutrient intakes, you can consult the National Institutes of Health.

How to Get the Most Out of Your OJ

For maximum vitamin C retention, follow these simple tips:

Store Properly: Keep the frozen concentrate in the freezer until ready to use, then store the reconstituted juice in the refrigerator.
Keep It Sealed: Keep the container tightly sealed to minimize exposure to air.
Choose Fortified Options: If vitamin C is a primary goal, check the label for fortification.
Consume Freshly Mixed: Drink the juice within a few days of reconstitution to enjoy its maximum vitamin C content.

What about pulp? Some concentrate juices come with pulp. Does that matter for vitamin C? The pulp in orange juice adds a small amount of dietary fiber, but it does not significantly change the vitamin C content, which is primarily found in the juice itself. The choice between pulp and no-pulp is mostly a matter of personal preference.

Frequently Asked Questions

Initially, freshly squeezed juice may contain higher levels of vitamin C. However, commercial orange juice from concentrate is often fortified to replace any vitamin C lost during processing, resulting in a comparable, and sometimes higher, amount per serving, especially after storage.

An 8-ounce (1 cup) serving of orange juice reconstituted from concentrate typically provides around 96.86 milligrams of vitamin C. This amount can vary slightly by brand, especially if it is fortified.

The vitamin C in orange juice, whether from concentrate or not, is naturally occurring. However, commercial brands may add extra ascorbic acid to fortify the juice, ensuring a consistent vitamin C level. This added vitamin C is chemically identical to the natural version and is well-absorbed by the body.

Yes, vitamin C is sensitive to air, heat, and light. Once you mix the concentrate, the vitamin C content will slowly decrease over time. Keeping the juice refrigerated and in a tightly sealed, opaque container helps to slow this process.

While vitamin C is essential for a healthy immune system, and orange juice is an excellent source, drinking it is not a cure-all for colds. However, maintaining an adequate intake of vitamin C can help support your immune function and may reduce the duration or severity of a cold.

Yes, it is a very reliable source. With a single cup often containing over 100% of the daily recommended value for most adults, orange juice from concentrate is an easy way to ensure adequate vitamin C intake.

No, the flavor is generally not an indicator of the vitamin C level. The concentration and processing might affect flavor, but the nutritional content, especially vitamin C, is a separate factor that manufacturers control through processing and fortification.