Lemon Nutrition Benefits and Facts

Nutritional summary

Lemons are a significant source of vitamin C and flavanones (a class of citrus antioxidants), which are consistently linked to a reduced risk of chronic diseases and improved cardiovascular health .
High intake of flavanones specifically found in citrus fruits is associated with a lower risk of ischemic stroke (a stroke caused by a blood clot), according to large-scale prospective cohort studies .
While lemons are generally not eaten whole, their juice and zest are integral components of the Mediterranean diet, which is well-established as a heart-healthy eating pattern .
Early research suggests that lemon dietary fiber and extracts may influence metabolic markers like insulin sensitivity and weight management, though these effects are primarily observed in animal models or as part of broader fruit-intake studies .

Interesting fact

The lemon is actually a hybrid between a sour orange and a citron, likely originating in Northeast India or Burma.

Standout nutrients

SUPER

SOURCE

Vitamin C

ELITE

SOURCE

Ascorbic acid

SOURCE

Chromium

ACE

SOURCE

Water

kcal per 100g

Protein0.78g

Fat0.47g

Carbs1.33g

Fiber2.00g

Sugar2.49g

Fat breakdown

Polyunsat0.21g

Monounsat0.03g

Saturated0.11g

Seasonality

Not available

Diet

VeganVegetarianPescatarianGluten FreeDairy FreeKetoLow FodmapPaleo

Sustainability

Lighter footprint

Citrus fruits generally have low carbon footprints, though water usage in arid regions is a factor.

Confidencemedium

Storage

Refrigerate

2–4 weeks

Stored in a sealed bag to prevent dehydration

Room Temperature

1–2 weeks

Flavour

Data & Sources

Harmonized from 5 validated sources

French Food Database

1 contributing source food

Phenol-Explorer

1 contributing source food

Swiss Food Database

1 contributing source food

McCance & Widdowson

3 contributing source foods

USDA

USDA FoodData Central

1 contributing source food

Claim citations

Lemon Extract Reduces Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE) Expression and Activity and Increases Insulin Sensitivity and Lipolysis in Mouse Adipocytes - PMC

[2]pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[PDF] Flavanones in grapefruit, lemons, and limes - USDA ARS

[3]www.ars.usda.govars.usda.gov

Lemon Dietary Fibre-Based Powder as a Promising Ingredient for the Food Industry: Enhancing Mortadella Nutritional Quality - PMC

[4]pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Diet Review: Mediterranean Diet - The Nutrition Source

[5]nutritionsource.hsph.harvard.edu

Lemons | SNAP-Ed

[6]snaped.fns.usda.gov

Bioactive Compounds of Citrus Fruits: A Review of Composition and Health Benefits of Carotenoids, Flavonoids, Limonoids, and Terpenes - PMC

[8]pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A Narrative Review of the Effects of Citrus Peels and Extracts on Human Brain Health and Metabolism - PMC

[9]pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Whole Fruits and Fruit Fiber Emerging Health Effects - PMC

[12]pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Coverage

Nutrients

FoodCompass

100.0

Version

Similar flavours

Explore flavour space →