What Vitamins Does Lemon Juice Contain? A Deep Dive into Citrus Nutrition

October 31, 2025 •

4 min read

One cup of freshly squeezed lemon juice can provide nearly 190% of the recommended daily intake of vitamin C, making it a powerful nutritional addition to your diet. Beyond its well-known immunity-boosting properties, understanding what vitamins does lemon juice contain offers a complete picture of its health benefits.

Quick Summary

Lemon juice is primarily an excellent source of vitamin C, but it also contains a spectrum of B vitamins like folate and vitamin B6 in smaller amounts. The tart juice offers other health-promoting compounds, including potassium and powerful plant-based antioxidants known as flavonoids.

Key Points

Rich in Vitamin C: Lemon juice is an exceptional source of vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant vital for immune function and collagen synthesis.
Contains Trace B Vitamins: The juice offers smaller amounts of important B vitamins, including folate (B9), vitamin B6, thiamin (B1), riboflavin (B2), and pantothenic acid (B5).
Enhances Iron Absorption: The high vitamin C content helps the body better absorb non-heme iron from plant-based foods, which helps prevent anemia.
Includes Beneficial Antioxidants: Lemon juice contains flavonoids that act as antioxidants, helping to protect cells from damage and reduce inflammation.
Supports Kidney Health: The high concentration of citric acid in lemon juice can help prevent kidney stones by altering urine chemistry.
Source of Potassium: Beyond vitamins, lemon juice provides potassium, a mineral that supports healthy blood pressure and nerve function.
Best Consumption Method: To maximize the intake of all beneficial compounds, including fiber, consuming the whole fruit or adding fresh pulp is ideal, though the juice alone is still highly beneficial.

For centuries, lemons have been prized not only for their distinctive flavor but also for their potent nutritional value, with British sailors famously using them to prevent scurvy, a disease caused by vitamin C deficiency. While its high vitamin C content is well-established, many wonder what other nutrients are packed into this versatile citrus fruit. A closer look reveals that lemon juice is a multi-faceted source of beneficial vitamins and minerals, though its vitamin profile is heavily dominated by one star nutrient.

The Superstar: Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C)

Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is the undisputed king of vitamins in lemon juice. It is a powerful antioxidant that plays a crucial role in numerous bodily functions. A 100g serving of raw lemon juice typically provides around 38.7 mg of vitamin C, which is a significant portion of the daily recommended intake. This makes it more vitamin-C-dense than some other fruits and juices, such as orange juice on a per-gram basis.

Key functions of Vitamin C:

Immune System Support: Vitamin C is essential for immune function and helps stimulate the production of white blood cells to fight infections.
Antioxidant Protection: As an antioxidant, it helps neutralize harmful free radicals that cause oxidative stress, which is linked to various chronic diseases like heart disease and cancer.
Collagen Synthesis: It is a vital component for the production of collagen, a protein essential for healthy skin, wound healing, and strong bones.
Enhanced Iron Absorption: Vitamin C significantly improves the body's ability to absorb non-heme iron from plant-based foods, helping to prevent iron-deficiency anemia.

The Supporting Cast: B Vitamins and More

While vitamin C gets all the attention, lemon juice also contains several B vitamins, albeit in smaller, less significant quantities. These water-soluble vitamins are important for energy metabolism and overall cellular function.

Trace B-Vitamins in Lemon Juice

Folate (Vitamin B9): This vitamin is crucial for cell growth and metabolism and is especially important during pregnancy to prevent neural tube defects. Lemon juice provides a small amount of folate.
Vitamin B6: Involved in converting food into energy, vitamin B6 is a component of lemon juice's nutritional profile.
Thiamin (Vitamin B1): A small amount of thiamin, which helps the body's cells produce energy from carbohydrates, is also present.
Riboflavin (Vitamin B2): This vitamin, which aids in energy production and cellular function, is found in minor quantities.
Pantothenic Acid (Vitamin B5): A trace amount of this vitamin, important for energy and hormone production, is also present.

A Broader Nutritional Look: Comparing Juices

While lemons are a powerhouse for vitamin C, comparing their overall nutritional profile to other popular fruit juices can provide perspective. The following table illustrates the vitamin C and key B vitamin content per 100 grams of fresh juice. Note that while lemons excel in vitamin C, other fruits may offer more diverse or concentrated nutrient profiles for other vitamins.


Nutrient	Raw Lemon Juice (per 100g)	Fresh Orange Juice (per 100g)	Tomato Juice (per 100g)*
Vitamin C	38.7 mg	30.5 mg	17.5 mg
Folate (B9)	20 µg	23 µg	15 µg
Vitamin B6	0.05 mg	0.05 mg	0.08 mg
Thiamin (B1)	0.02 mg	0.09 mg	0.04 mg
Riboflavin (B2)	0.02 mg	0.03 mg	0.02 mg
Pantothenic Acid (B5)	0.13 mg	0.25 mg	0.11 mg

*Note: Tomato juice data is for general comparison and based on typical nutritional databases.

The Power of Other Compounds in Lemon Juice

Beyond the vitamins, lemon juice is packed with other compounds that offer significant health benefits. The sour taste is primarily due to citric acid, while beneficial plant compounds known as flavonoids also contribute to the overall nutritional impact.

Other Healthful Components

Potassium: This mineral is crucial for nerve function, muscle contractions, and maintaining healthy blood pressure. Lemon juice is a good source of potassium.
Flavonoids: These powerful antioxidants, including hesperidin and eriocitrin, are found in both the peel and the juice. They have been shown to have anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties.
Citric Acid: A high concentration of citric acid is responsible for the tart flavor. It is particularly noted for its ability to help prevent kidney stones by increasing urine volume and pH.

Practical Ways to Incorporate Lemon Juice

Adding lemon juice to your diet is easy and can be done in many delicious ways, from simple drinks to flavorful meals. Here are some suggestions:

Lemon Water: A classic and refreshing way to start your day. Squeeze fresh lemon juice into a glass of water, either hot or cold.
Salad Dressings: Use fresh lemon juice as a key ingredient in homemade vinaigrettes and dressings for a zesty flavor.
Marinades: Its acidity makes it a great tenderizer and flavoring agent for meats, fish, and poultry.
Seafood Garnish: A squeeze of fresh lemon juice is a traditional pairing with fish and seafood, enhancing their flavor.
Flavoring for Drinks: Add it to teas, smoothies, or cocktails for a bright, tangy kick.
Fruit and Vegetable Preservation: As a natural antioxidant, lemon juice can prevent other fruits like apples and avocados from browning.

Conclusion

In summary, while the question, "what vitamins does lemon juice contain?" is often answered with a focus on its stellar vitamin C content, the full picture is more nuanced. Lemon juice is a nutritional goldmine, rich in vitamin C and containing smaller, but still beneficial, amounts of several B vitamins and essential minerals like potassium. This citrus powerhouse also delivers potent antioxidants and citric acid, offering benefits that range from immune support and enhanced iron absorption to kidney stone prevention. Incorporating fresh lemon juice into your daily routine is a simple, low-calorie way to boost your nutrient intake and improve overall wellness.

For more in-depth nutritional information on lemons and other foods, consult authoritative sources like the USDA FoodData Central, where detailed nutrient profiles can be found.

Frequently Asked Questions

Bottled lemon juice often contains preservatives and may lose some nutritional value, particularly vitamin C, during processing. Freshly squeezed lemon juice is the most potent source of vitamins.

While lemon juice does contain several B vitamins, such as folate and B6, the amounts are relatively small compared to its high vitamin C content. It should not be considered a primary source of B vitamins.

The high vitamin C content in lemon juice can support immune function and help reduce the duration of the common cold for some people. However, it is not a magic cure and should be part of a balanced diet.

Vitamin C is sensitive to heat, so mixing lemon juice with very hot water can slightly reduce its vitamin content. However, the loss is generally minimal and the drink remains a beneficial source of hydration.

Most of the vitamin C is in the juice, but the pulp and peel contain beneficial fibers and compounds like pectin and flavonoids. Consuming the whole fruit or including pulp provides additional health benefits.

Lemons are an excellent source of vitamin C, but some fruits, like acerola cherries and blackcurrants, contain significantly higher concentrations. However, lemons are widely available and a practical source for daily intake.

Yes, due to its high acidity, prolonged exposure to lemon juice can erode tooth enamel. It's recommended to rinse your mouth with plain water after consuming lemon juice or drink it through a straw to minimize contact with your teeth.