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Lemon juice, raw

Fruits Per 100 g · Per 100g serving
Data sources: 52 AFCD 24 SR Legacy

Lemon juice, raw is a fruit, providing just 26.5 calories per 100g. It is a good source of Vitamin C, providing 39% of the Daily Value per 100g. This fruit is virtually fat-free. Fruits are naturally rich in vitamins, dietary fiber, and antioxidants. They are an important part of a balanced diet and contribute to daily micronutrient needs. Our database tracks 76 nutrients for this food, plus insulin index, polyphenol profile, environmental footprint data.

26.5
Calories
kcal
0.35
Protein
g
0.24
Fat
g
6.9
Carbs
g
2.0
Fiber
g

Top Nutrients

☀️
Vitamin C
35.0 mg
39% DV
💎
Copper
0.09 mg
10% DV
☀️
Folate
33.0 µg
8% DV

Data for 76 of 150 tracked nutrients

Nutrient Fingerprint

How this food scores across key nutrient categories, as a percentage of the daily recommended value per 100 g. Based on USDA DRIs for adults.

Complete Nutrient Profile

Macronutrients 10
NutrientPer 100gUnitPer Serving% DV
Water AFCD89.4g
2%
Calories AFCD26.5kcal
Energy (kJ) SR91.0kj
Protein SR0.35g
1%
Total Fat SR0.24g
Carbohydrate SR6.9g
5%
Fiber AFCD2.0g
5%
Total Sugars SR2.5g
Starch AFCD0g
Ash AFCD0.30g
Minerals 10
NutrientPer 100gUnitPer Serving% DV
Calcium AFCD20.0mg
2%
Iron AFCD0.15mg
2%
Magnesium AFCD9.0mg
2%
Phosphorus AFCD20.0mg
3%
Potassium AFCD140mg
4%
Sodium AFCD3.0mg
0%
Zinc AFCD0.10mg
1%
Copper AFCD0.09mg
10%
Manganese AFCD0.04mg
2%
Selenium AFCD0µg
Vitamins 30
NutrientPer 100gUnitPer Serving% DV
Vitamin A (RAE) AFCD1.0µg
0%
Vitamin A (IU) SR0IU
Retinol AFCD0µg
Beta-Carotene AFCD5.0µg
Alpha-Carotene AFCD0µg
Beta-Cryptoxanthin AFCD6.0µg
Lycopene SR0µg
Lutein + Zeaxanthin SR15.0µg
Vitamin C AFCD35.0mg
39%
Vitamin D SR0µg
Vitamin D (IU) AFCD0IU
Vitamin D2 AFCD0µg
Vitamin D3 AFCD0µg
Vitamin E AFCD0.40mg
3%
Beta-Tocopherol AFCD0mg
Gamma-Tocopherol AFCD0mg
Delta-Tocopherol AFCD0mg
Vitamin K1 SR0µg
Thiamin (B1) AFCD0.03mg
2%
Riboflavin (B2) AFCD0.01mg
1%
Niacin (B3) AFCD0.10mg
1%
Pantothenic Acid (B5) AFCD0.11mg
2%
Vitamin B6 AFCD0.04mg
3%
Biotin (B7) AFCD0.30µg
1%
Folate AFCD33.0µg
8%
Folic Acid SR0µg
Folate (food) AFCD33.0µg
Folate (DFE) AFCD33.0µg
Vitamin B12 AFCD0µg
Choline SR5.1mg
1%
Fatty Acids 9
NutrientPer 100gUnitPer Serving% DV
Saturated Fat AFCD0g
Monounsaturated Fat AFCD0g
Polyunsaturated Fat AFCD0g
Trans Fat AFCD0g
Cholesterol AFCD0mg
Omega-3 ALA AFCD0g
Omega-3 EPA AFCD0g
Omega-3 DPA AFCD0g
Omega-3 DHA AFCD0g
Individual Fatty Acids 12
NutrientPer 100gUnitPer Serving% DV
Butyric Acid (4:0) SR0g
Caproic Acid (6:0) SR0g
Caprylic Acid (8:0) SR0g
Capric Acid (10:0) SR0.02g
Lauric Acid (12:0) SR0.001g
Myristic Acid (14:0) SR0.002g
Palmitic Acid (16:0) SR0.01g
Stearic Acid (18:0) SR0.004g
Linoleic Acid (18:2) AFCD0g
Omega-6 LA SR0.01g
Omega-6 GLA SR0g
Linolenic Acid (18:3) SR0.009g
Amino Acids 1
NutrientPer 100gUnitPer Serving% DV
Tryptophan AFCD0g
Phytochemicals 1
NutrientPer 100gUnitPer Serving% DV
Oxalic Acid AFCD0mg
Other 3
NutrientPer 100gUnitPer Serving% DV
Caffeine AFCD0mg
Theobromine SR0mg
Alcohol AFCD0g

Nutrient Density Score

The NRF9.3 score measures overall nutritional quality per 100 kcal. It rewards 9 nutrients to encourage (protein, fiber, vitamins A, C, E, calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium) and penalizes 3 to limit (saturated fat, added sugars, sodium). Higher is better; negative scores indicate the food is high in limit nutrients relative to its beneficial content.

168
NRF9.3 Score
Excellent · per 100 kcal
Poor (<0) Moderate Good Excellent (100+)

NRF9.3 index: Fulgoni et al. (2009), J Nutr 139(8). DVs based on FDA 2020 reference values.

Nutrient Interactions in This Food

Nutrients in this food that enhance or compete with each other during absorption.

⚠ Antagonisms — nutrients that compete

Vitamin C vs Copper●●

High-dose vitamin C (>1,500 mg/day) may reduce copper absorption by reducing Cu²⁺ to Cu⁺, though the clinical significance at normal intakes is minimal.

Harris, Am J Clin Nutr, 2003

How Cooking Changes Nutrients

Estimated percentage of each nutrient retained after cooking, based on USDA retention factors for the “Fresh Fruits” food category. Values of 100% mean no loss; lower values indicate nutrients lost to heat, water, or oxidation.

Key insights
Vitamin C loses up to 30% when sautéed. Baked retains 80%.
Folate loses up to 50% when sautéed. Baked retains 60%.

Source: USDA Table of Nutrient Retention Factors, Release 6 (2007). Retention values are category-level averages — actual retention depends on cooking time, temperature, and water volume.

USDA Retention Factors

Insulin Response

The Insulin Index (II) measures the actual insulin response to food on a scale where white bread = 100. Unlike the Glycemic Index (which only measures blood sugar), the II captures the full hormonal response — including the effect of protein and fat on insulin secretion. This is why high-protein foods like meat and dairy can have significant insulin scores despite having low or zero GI values.

87
Insulin Index
High Insulin Response
Insulin Index Scale 87
0 Low ≤30 Mod ≤60 High ≤100 120
Macro Model ●● Estimated from macronutrient composition (R²=0.49)

Source: Holt et al. 1997; Bao et al. 2016; Bell 2014

Polyphenols & Bioactive Compounds

Polyphenols are plant-derived compounds with antioxidant properties. Higher intake is associated with reduced cardiovascular risk and improved gut health.

42
Total Polyphenols
mg per 100g · Moderate
2
Polyphenol Classes
identified in this food
Flavonoids24 mg57%
Phenolic Acids18 mg43%

Processing Impact on Polyphenols

How common cooking methods affect polyphenol content in fruits. Retention % is relative to the raw/unprocessed food.

Best Method
Freezing
95% retained
Most Loss
Juicing
52% retained
🧊
Freezing95%
Excellent retention; flash-freezing preserves structure and polyp≈40 mg
☀️
Drying82%
Moderate heat degradation offset by concentration; sun-drying ret≈34 mg
🫕
Boiling68%
Significant leaching of water-soluble flavonoids into cooking wat≈29 mg
🔥
Baking/Roasting65%
Dry heat degrades anthocyanins more than other flavonoids≈27 mg
🥫
Canning55%
Prolonged thermal treatment and water contact cause significant l≈23 mg
🧃
Juicing52%
Fiber-bound polyphenols lost with pulp; clear juices lose more th≈22 mg

Health Associations

Research-backed associations for the polyphenol classes found in this food. Evidence strength rated from systematic reviews and meta-analyses.

💜
↓ Cardiovascular disease riskModerate
Flavonoids: Meta-analyses of prospective cohorts show 10-20% lower CVD risk with higher flav
💜
↓ Blood pressureModerate
Flavonoids: RCTs show modest systolic BP reductions (2-5 mmHg) with flavanol-rich cocoa and
🔵
↑ Antioxidant capacityStrong
Phenolic Acids: Chlorogenic acid (coffee) and ferulic acid (grains) show consistent antioxidant
🔵
↑ Glucose metabolismModerate
Phenolic Acids: Chlorogenic acid may slow glucose absorption and improve insulin sensitivity
⚠ Most evidence is from observational studies and in vitro research. Randomized controlled trials are limited. Individual responses vary based on gut microbiome, genetics, and overall diet. Associations do not prove causation.

Polyphenol data matched from: “Lemon, raw” · ●●● high confidence

Source: Phenol-Explorer 3.6 (INRA, 2023) · Retention: Rothwell 2013, Palermo 2014 · Health: Del Bo' 2019, Grosso 2017

Environmental Impact

Environmental footprint per kilogram of food produced. Data represents the global average for the “Citrus Fruit” category.

0.39
kg CO₂e / kg
Very Low Impact
0.71
m² land / kg
Land Use
83.0
L water / kg
Water Use
3.0
g SO₂e / kg
Acidification
How this compares (GHG emissions)
Potatoes (0.5)Chicken (9.9)Beef (99.5)
Greenhouse Gas Emissions0.39 kg CO₂e / kg
Land Use0.71 m² / kg
Water Use83.0 L / kg
Eutrophication3.1 g PO₄e / kg
Acidification3.0 g SO₂e / kg
⚠️ Important context about this data
  • Global averages: These figures are production-weighted averages from a meta-analysis of ~38,700 farms across 119 countries (Poore & Nemecek, 2018). Actual impact varies enormously by farming method, geography, and supply chain.
  • System boundary: Cradle-to-retail only — does not include consumer transport, home cooking energy, or food waste.
  • Soil carbon not included: This data does not account for soil carbon sequestration. Some argue that well-managed regenerative grazing partially offsets ruminant emissions; however, full lifecycle accounting — including methane, land-use change, and the opportunity cost of using land for grazing vs. reforestation — typically makes the net footprint of ruminant meat higher, not lower. This is especially relevant in temperate grassland regions like Ireland.
  • Not gospel: This data is informational and illustrative. It is useful for understanding relative magnitudes, but should not be treated as precise measurements for any individual product or farm.

Source: Poore & Nemecek (2018), Science 360(6392). Meta-analysis of ~38,700 farms, 119 countries, 46 product categories.

Global Supply: Fruits

Top 10 countries by per capita supply of the “Fruits” food group (kcal/capita/day, 2023). This is food group–level data from FAO Food Balance Sheets, not specific to this individual food.

1.
Dominican Republic
618
2.
Oman
424
3.
Uganda
422
4.
Guyana
416
5.
Sao Tome and Principe
366
6.
Saudi Arabia
352
7.
Papua New Guinea
317
8.
Dominica
308
9.
Albania
293
10.
Ghana
286

Global Supply Trend (1961–2023)

+38%
1961: 93 kcal2023: 128 kcal

Source: FAO Food Balance Sheets (2023). Supply = production + imports − exports − waste, converted to kcal/capita/day.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many calories are in Lemon juice, raw?

Lemon juice, raw contains 26.5 kcal per 100 grams, making it a low-calorie food. The energy comes from 0.35g of protein (5% of calories), 0.24g of fat (8%), and 6.9g of carbohydrates (104%). Carbohydrates are the primary energy source.

What is Lemon juice, raw most nutritious for?

The standout nutrient in Lemon juice, raw is Vitamin C, providing 35.0 mg per 100g (39% of the Daily Value). It is also a notable source of Copper (10% DV). Our database tracks 76 individual nutrients for this food, allowing detailed comparison across vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and fatty acids.

Is Lemon juice, raw high in protein?

At 0.35g per 100 grams, Lemon juice, raw is not a significant source of protein. Pair with protein-rich foods like legumes, meat, fish, or dairy to meet daily protein needs.

How much fiber is in Lemon juice, raw?

Lemon juice, raw contains 2.0g of fiber per 100 grams, which is a small amount. To increase fiber intake, consider pairing with high-fiber foods such as legumes, whole grains, or vegetables.

Does Lemon juice, raw contain polyphenols?

Yes, Lemon juice, raw contains approximately 42.0 mg of polyphenols per 100g, primarily from the moderate class. Polyphenols are bioactive plant compounds associated with antioxidant properties. Their retention can vary with cooking and processing methods — see the processing impact section above for details.

What is the insulin index of Lemon juice, raw?

Lemon juice, raw has a high insulin response (II: 87) (estimated from macronutrient composition) on the insulin index scale (white bread = 100). Foods with high insulin scores stimulate significant insulin release, which may be relevant for blood sugar management. Note that the insulin index can differ substantially from the glycemic index — dairy products and high-protein foods often have higher insulin responses than their GI would suggest.