Is Lemon Juice Good for You? 6 Health Benefits To Know

A squeeze of lemon juice can instantly brighten up a cool glass of water, a homemade salad dressing or a plate of sautéed green beans. But this tart citrus juice does more than just add flavor. It also provides important nutrients, like vitamin C and potassium, that may benefit your health.

While it isn’t a cure-all or a replacement for healthy eating habits, it can be a nutritious addition to an overall balanced eating plan.

Registered dietitian Amber Sommer, RD, LD, shares the health benefits of lemon juice, how to use it and what to know before mixing it into your daily routine.

Is lemon juice good for you?

Yes, lemon juice can be good for you. It’s low in calories and contains vitamin C, antioxidants and minerals like potassium. It also contains citric acid, a natural substance that gives lemons their sour taste and may offer several different health benefits.

But keep in mind: Lemon juice isn’t a magic tonic.

“Lemon juice has some beneficial nutrients, but it’s just one small part of the whole picture,” Sommer says. “It offers the most value when used to add flavor to vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins, which also provide a range of health benefits.”

Nutrition facts

Lemon juice is packed with vitamin C, an essential nutrient that helps support your immune system, protects cells from damage and helps your body absorb iron from plant-based foods.

One cup of lemon juice contains about:

• 54 calories
• 94 milligrams of vitamin C
• 251 milligrams of potassium
• 15 milligrams of calcium
• 15 milligrams of magnesium

But most people don’t drink a full cup of lemon juice at once. A tablespoon of lemon juice contains about 6 milligrams of vitamin C.

“Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin, which means your body doesn’t store large amounts of it,” Sommer explains. “Getting enough vitamin C regularly through foods like citrus fruits can help support your health.”

Lemon juice benefits

Lemon juice won’t prevent illness on its own, but it does contain nutrients and natural plant substances that can support your body in several ways.

“Think of lemon juice as a healthy ingredient rather than a treatment,” Sommer says. “It can complement a nutritious eating pattern and make healthy foods more enjoyable.”

Let’s take a closer look at some of the potential health benefits of lemon juice.

Provides antioxidants that help protect your cells

Lemon juice contains antioxidants, which help protect your cells from free radicals. Free radicals are unstable molecules that can damage your cells.

Your body naturally creates free radicals, and too many can lead to inflammation and cell damage over time.

“Antioxidants help your body manage oxidative stress,” Sommer explains. “Eating a variety of fruits and vegetables is one of the best ways to get a wide range of these helpful compounds.”

Supports how your immune system operates

Vitamin C is one of the nutrients your immune system needs to work properly. It helps support immune cells and plays a role in your body’s natural defenses.

A squeeze of lemon juice won’t stop you from getting sick, but regularly eating foods that contain vitamin C can help you meet your body’s needs.

“Vitamin C is important for normal immune function,” Sommer says. “Lemon juice can contribute to your daily intake, especially when it’s included in meals that have plenty of fruits and vegetables.”

Helps your body absorb iron

Iron helps your body make hemoglobin, a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen throughout your body. But your body doesn’t absorb the type of iron found in plants as easily as the iron found in animal products.

That’s where vitamin C comes in.

“Vitamin C helps your body absorb non-heme iron, which is the type of iron found in plant foods like beans, lentils and spinach,” Sommer says.

Try adding lemon juice to foods that contain plant-based iron, like:

• Tabbouleh salad
• Bean dishes
• Dressings on vegetable bowls

May help reduce the risk of certain kidney stones

Lemon juice contains citric acid, which can increase citrate levels in your pee. Citrate can help prevent certain types of kidney stones from forming by making it harder for calcium crystals to stick together.

“Citrate is a natural substance that can help reduce the formation of some kidney stones,” Sommer says. “Adding lemon juice to your meals may be one small step that supports kidney health, especially for people who are prone to certain types of stones.”

If you have a history of kidney stones, talk with your healthcare provider about the best way to prevent them.

Adds flavor while helping you cut back on salt

One of the easiest ways to use lemon juice is as a flavor booster. Its bright, acidic taste can make foods more flavorful without adding extra sodium.

“Lemon juice is a great way to enhance the flavor of food,” Sommer notes. “Using herbs, spices and ingredients like lemon juice can help you create flavorful meals without relying as much on salt.”

Can help you drink more fluids

Plain water is always a great choice for hydration. But some people find it easier to drink enough fluids when their water has a little flavor.

Adding lemon juice to water can make it more enjoyable without adding sugar or many calories.

“Staying hydrated is important for many functions in your body,” Sommer states. “If adding lemon makes you more likely to drink water throughout the day, that can be a helpful habit.”

How to incorporate lemon juice into your eating plan

There are many ways to add lemon juice to meals without drinking it straight.

Sommer recommends using lemon juice to brighten sauces and dips. You can also:

• Add it to homemade salad dressings instead of vinegar.
• Use it as a marinade ingredient for chicken, fish or vegetables.
• Mix it into homemade juice blends or smoothies.
• Add it to tea or sparkling water.
• Squeeze it over cooked vegetables or grains.

“You don’t have to drink lemon juice by itself to get the benefits,” Sommer points out. “Using it as an ingredient is often the easiest and most enjoyable way to consume it.”

What should you avoid when using lemon juice?

While lemon juice can be a healthy addition to your eating plan, there are a few things to keep in mind.

Don’t drink straight lemon juice

Lemon juice is highly acidic. Drinking it straight can irritate your mouth, throat or stomach, and frequent exposure to acid may contribute to tooth enamel erosion.

Instead, dilute lemon juice with water or use it as an ingredient in meals.

Pay attention if lemon juice bothers your stomach

Because lemon juice is acidic, it may trigger symptoms like heartburn, acid reflux or stomach irritation in some people.

If you have gastritis or notice that acidic foods bother your stomach, lemon juice may not be the best choice for you.

Be careful with sugary lemon drinks

Not every lemon-flavored drink is a healthy choice. Lemonades, bottled lemon drinks and sweetened beverages can contain added sugar and extra calories.

“Check the nutrition label before choosing a lemon drink,” Sommer advises. “The health benefits of lemon juice can get outweighed if a product contains a lot of added sugar.”

Don’t apply lemon juice directly to your skin

Vitamin C plays an important role in skin health and is commonly found in skin care products designed to help with concerns like uneven skin tone and age spots.

But Sommer doesn’t recommend applying lemon juice directly to your skin.

“Using lemon juice on your skin can cause irritation, burning or uneven skin changes,” she warns. “If you’re interested in vitamin C for your skin, it’s safer to use products that are specifically formulated for that purpose.”

The bottom line

Lemon juice is a simple ingredient that can add flavor and nutrition to your meals. It provides vitamin C, antioxidants and citric acid, which may support your immune system, help your body absorb iron and reduce the risk of certain kidney stones.

“Lemon juice isn’t a miracle ingredient, but it’s a healthy way to add flavor and some nutrients to what you eat,” Sommer reiterates. “Small choices, like adding more fruits, vegetables and flavorful ingredients to your meals, can add up over time.”