What Juice is Higher in Vitamin C?

January 4, 2026 •

3 min read

With an astonishing 3,870 milligrams of vitamin C per cup, acerola cherry juice contains significantly more than standard orange juice. This fact challenges the common assumption that orange juice is the ultimate source of this vital nutrient, leading to the question: what juice is higher in vitamin C and what other juices deserve attention?.

Quick Summary

This article compares the vitamin C content of popular and exotic juices, revealing superior options like acerola cherry and camu camu. It details the powerful benefits of vitamin C and offers guidance on selecting the most nutrient-dense juices for optimal immune health and overall wellness. The guide covers factors influencing vitamin C levels, from sourcing to storage.

Key Points

Acerola Cherry Juice Reigns Supreme: This tropical fruit delivers thousands of milligrams of vitamin C per cup, far surpassing common orange juice.
Camu Camu is a Potent Alternative: Another vitamin C powerhouse from the Amazon, camu camu is often sold as a concentrated powder for maximum potency.
Freshness is Key to Potency: The vitamin C content in juice diminishes with heat, light, and storage, making fresh, minimally processed juices the best choice.
Orange Juice is Still a Solid Choice: While not the highest, orange juice remains a very good and accessible source of vitamin C for daily intake.
Consider Other High-C Options: Guava, kiwi, and pineapple juices offer excellent vitamin C levels, providing variety beyond traditional citrus.
DIY Juicing Offers Control: Making your own juice allows you to maximize nutrient retention and control ingredients like added sugar.
Check Processing Methods: When buying commercial juice, opt for cold-pressed, not-from-concentrate options in opaque containers to better preserve vitamin C.

Why Vitamin C is Crucial for Health

Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is a powerful water-soluble antioxidant essential for many bodily functions. Humans cannot produce vitamin C, making dietary intake necessary. This nutrient supports the immune system, aids tissue repair, maintains skin health, and protects cells from damage. Adequate vitamin C intake also helps with iron absorption, cardiovascular health, and collagen production. Many seek the best sources, often starting with familiar juices.

Beyond the Orange: Unveiling the Vitamin C Superstars

While orange juice is known for its vitamin C, other juices offer much higher concentrations.

Acerola Cherry Juice: A top source, acerola cherry juice from tropical regions provides thousands of milligrams of vitamin C per cup, far exceeding daily needs.
Camu Camu Juice: This sour Amazonian berry is another potent source. Camu camu powder, used to make juice, has a very high vitamin C concentration and is often mixed into drinks to preserve nutrients.

Other notable juices with significant vitamin C include:

Indian Gooseberry (Amla) Juice: Another excellent source of vitamin C.
Guava Juice: Fresh guava juice provides high vitamin C levels.
Kiwi Juice: Freshly juiced kiwi can be a strong source of vitamin C.
Pineapple Juice: Can offer high vitamin C, sometimes comparable to orange juice.
Tomato Juice: A good source of vitamin C, even from canned varieties.

Comparison of Juices by Vitamin C Content

The following table compares the approximate vitamin C content per cup (240 mL), though values can vary.


Juice	Typical Vitamin C (mg per cup)	Notes
Acerola Cherry Juice	~3,870 mg	The highest concentration among most commonly referenced juices.
Camu Camu Juice (from powder)	~4,700 mg (based on 5,000mg/100g powder)	A potent, concentrated option, typically sold as powder.
Indian Gooseberry (Amla) Juice	~1,150 mg	Very high concentration, but less widely available.
Orange Juice (fresh)	~124 mg	A common, accessible source that is still very healthy.
Grapefruit Juice	~94 mg	Another well-known citrus juice with high vitamin C.
Pineapple Juice	~79 mg	Good source, and widely available.
Tomato Juice	~33 mg (from ¾ cup)	An accessible vegetable juice option.
Apple Juice	<10-20 mg	Significantly lower content than other fruit juices.

Maximizing Your Vitamin C Intake from Juices

To get the most vitamin C from juices:

Fresh vs. Commercial: Fresh juices usually have more vitamin C than commercial ones due to less processing. Heat, light, and oxygen reduce vitamin C.
Processing: Choose not-from-concentrate or cold-pressed juices. Opaque packaging protects from light.
Storage: Store in a cool, dark place and refrigerate after opening. Consume quickly as vitamin C degrades.
Juice Blends: Make your own blends with high-vitamin C ingredients like kiwi, strawberry, and citrus.

Conclusion

While orange juice is a good source, superfoods like acerola cherry and camu camu juices offer much higher vitamin C levels. Other options like guava, kiwi, and pineapple also provide significant amounts. Understanding factors like processing and storage helps in choosing nutrient-dense juices for better immune health and well-being. Prioritizing fresh, minimally processed options is key to maximizing the benefits.

Resources

Office of Dietary Supplements, National Institutes of Health (NIH): Provides information on vitamin C function, sources, and health effects.
MedlinePlus: Offers an overview of vitamin C, including dietary sources.
Consensus.app: Summarizes scientific studies on vitamin C in juices.

Vitamin C Rich Juices to Try

Acerola Cherry & Limeade: A blend of acerola cherry powder, lime juice, and water.
Camu Camu Immunity Shot: A concentrated shot with camu camu powder and a small amount of liquid.
Guava-Strawberry Splash: A blend of fresh guava and strawberries.
Kiwi & Pineapple Cooler: A mix of fresh kiwi and pineapple.
The Classic Citrus Mix: Freshly squeezed orange, grapefruit, and lemon juice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Acerola cherry juice contains the highest amount of vitamin C, with a single cup providing significantly more than a cup of orange juice.

Yes, orange juice is still a good and accessible source of vitamin C, providing more than the daily value in one glass. However, other juices like acerola and camu camu offer much higher concentrations.

Camu camu is a sour Amazonian berry with exceptionally high vitamin C content. It is most often consumed as a powder mixed into other juices, water, or smoothies because its fresh fruit is highly perishable.

Yes, pasteurization and other heat processing methods can significantly reduce the vitamin C content in juice. Freshly squeezed juices tend to have higher vitamin C levels.

Check the nutrition label on the bottle for the vitamin C content and the percentage of the Daily Value (DV). Also, look for opaque packaging, as light exposure can degrade vitamin C over time.

Some vegetable juices, such as tomato juice, are good sources of vitamin C. While generally lower than fruit juices like acerola or citrus, they still contribute to your daily intake.

Natural vitamin C from food and juice sources is often accompanied by other nutrients and bioflavonoids that can enhance absorption. Some research suggests whole food sources may be more bioavailable than synthetic ascorbic acid supplements alone.