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Fruits

Lemon Nutrition Facts

Lemons are sour citrus fruits valued primarily for their juice and zest rather than eaten whole. They're an excellent source of vitamin C and citric acid, with numerous culinary and traditional medicinal uses. The zest contains essential oils with concentrated flavor.

Nutrition Facts

Per 100g serving

Calories29
% Daily Value*
Total Fat
0.3g0%
Saturated Fat
0.0g0%
Trans Fat
0.0g
Polyunsaturated Fat
0.1g
Monounsaturated Fat
0.0g
Cholesterol
-0%
Sodium
2mg0%
Total Carbohydrate
9.3g3%
Dietary Fiber
2.8g10%
Total Sugars
2.5g
Protein
1.1g2%
Vitamin A
22mcg2%
Vitamin C
53.0mg59%
Vitamin D
-0%
Vitamin E
0.1mg1%
Vitamin K
-0%
Vitamin B6
0.1mg5%
Vitamin B12
-0%
Folate
11mcg3%
Calcium
26mg2%
Iron
0.6mg3%
Potassium
138mg3%
Magnesium
8mg2%
Zinc
0.1mg1%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Health Benefits

  • ✓Excellent vitamin C source (88% DV per lemon)
  • ✓Contains citric acid that may aid digestion
  • ✓Rich in plant compounds (limonene, hesperidin)
  • ✓May enhance iron absorption from foods
  • ✓Low calorie way to add flavor without sodium

Best For

Squeezing over fish and seafoodMaking lemonade and cocktailsZesting for baking and cookingDressing salads and vegetablesPreserving other fruits from browning

Storage

Store at room temperature for about a week or refrigerate for 3-4 weeks. Keep in produce drawer for best results. Cut lemons keep 3-4 days wrapped tightly. Freeze juice in ice cube trays.

Serving Sizes

1 lemon (2.5" diameter)24 cal
Juice of 1 lemon11 cal
1 tbsp lemon juice4 cal
1 tsp lemon zest1 cal
Quick Calorie Lookup

Frequently Asked Questions

Is lemon water actually healthy?

Lemon water provides vitamin C and may aid hydration since the flavor encourages drinking more water. Claims about detoxification or major health transformations are exaggerated. It's a healthy, low-calorie drink but not a cure-all.

Does lemon damage tooth enamel?

Yes, lemon's citric acid can erode tooth enamel over time. Minimize damage by drinking lemon water through a straw, rinsing with plain water after, and waiting 30 minutes before brushing. Don't suck on lemon wedges regularly.

Are Meyer lemons different from regular lemons?

Meyer lemons are a cross between lemon and mandarin orange—sweeter, less acidic, with thinner skin and deeper yellow color. They're great for baking and eating fresh. Regular Eureka or Lisbon lemons are more tart and better for most cooking.

Track Lemon with CalorieGram

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