Food Fight: Fresh Lemon Juice v. Bottled Lemon | Future Fit Training (2024)

Here we consider whether bottled lemon juice is as good as the real thing.Interested in improving your knowledge of nutrition? Explore our different nutrition courses to gain nutrition expertise.

Let’s look at some stats:

FRESH LEMON JUICE

BOTTLED LEMON JUICE

Serving size

100g raw

100g canned/bottled

Calories

22kcal

21kcal

Protein

0.35g

0.4g

Fat

0.24g

0.29g

Carbohydrates

6.9g

6.5g

Fibre

0.3g

0.4g

Sugars

2.5g

2.4g

Vitamin C

39mg

25mg

Folate

13mcg

10mcg

Potassium

103mg

102mg

Here are some highlights:

  • Both are very low in calories and fat.
  • They are both good sources of vitamin C, folate and potassium.
  • Fresh lemon juice contains significantly more vitamin C than bottled lemon juice.

OUR WINNER: Fresh Lemon Juice!

Both are low in calories and fat and high in vitamin C, folate and potassium. However, if you’ve ever tasted bottled lemon juice, you’ll notice that the flavour is a little off – not bright and lemony like the real stuff. This is because bottled lemon juice usually contains additives and preservatives such as Sodium Metabisulphite (E223) or Potassium Metabisulphite (E224).

Metabisulphites are used to preserve the natural colour of food and protect food against bacteria. They are commonly used in wine and beer making. Potassium metabisulphite is generally preferred out of the two as it does not contribute sodium to the diet. Both are classed as allergens as they may cause allergic reactions in those who are sensitive to sulphites. If, after consuming metabisulphites, you experience difficulty breathing, swelling of your extremities, difficulty swallowing or a rash or welts on your skin, you should immediately stop consuming all products that contain this substance and seek medical attention.

So our advice is to stick with squeezing fresh lemons. To have lemon juice on hand at any time without having to keep buying fresh lemons, squeeze a bunch of lemons and freeze the juice in ice cube trays to use as needed.

Interested in improving your knowledge of nutrition? Explore our different online nutrition courses to gain nutrition expertise.

Food Fight: Fresh Lemon Juice v. Bottled Lemon | Future Fit Training (2024)

FAQs

Is bottled lemon juice as good as fresh squeezed lemon juice? ›

Both are very low in calories and fat. They are both good sources of vitamin C, folate and potassium. Fresh lemon juice contains significantly more vitamin C than bottled lemon juice.

Can bottled lemon juice be substituted for fresh lemon juice? ›

To use: Shake well before use, and use the same amount of bottled lemon juice in a recipe as you would fresh juice. If a recipe specifies the juice of 1 lemon, replace it with 2 tablespoons of bottled lemon juice.

Does true lemon have the same benefits as fresh lemon? ›

Does True Lemon have the same properties as a fresh lemon? True Lemon is made from real lemon juices and oils. True Lemon behaves almost identically to fresh lemon juice when using in water, drinks, beverages and in recipes. This is also true for True Lime, True Orange and True Grapefruit.

Is it better to use fresh or bottled lemon juice for jam? ›

Use bottled lemon juice in all canning for safest results. Whether adding lemon juice to tomatoes to acidify them safely or adding lemon juice to a jelly or jam, the best and safest choice is bottled lemon juice. Here's why. Bottled lemon juice is standardized, or uniformly acidified, per FDA regulations.

Does a lemon bottle actually work? ›

While the jury remains out on Lemon Bottle's long-term benefits and risks, the experts all agree that patients should be sceptical of grand marketing claims. Those considering fat-dissolving injections should seek treatment from an aesthetic doctor or healthcare professional who is trained and properly insured.

Is real lemon juice in a bottle real? ›

To most discerning cooks, ReaLemon and its imitators don't taste quite real, and to people allergic to sulfites these products may be a health hazard. Bottled fresh lemon juice, with juice from Sicily or Peru, is available at some fancy grocery stores, but it also contains sulfites.

What is the best substitute for fresh lemon juice? ›

7+ Simple Lemon Juice Substitutes That Actually Work
  1. Lime Juice. Lime juice is always at the top of my list as the best across-the-board substitute for lemon juice. ...
  2. Lemon Extract. ...
  3. Citric Acid. ...
  4. White Wine. ...
  5. Rice Vinegar. ...
  6. Cream of Tartar. ...
  7. White Wine Vinegar. ...
  8. Mango Powder.
Sep 18, 2023

How much real lemon juice is equal to the juice of one lemon? ›

When cooking, three tablespoons of ReaLemon (45 mL) equals the juice of one medium lemon. Always shake the bottle well before using, and refrigerate after opening for best taste.

Can I use jif lemon instead of a real lemon? ›

Jif Lemon 100ml can be used in recipes that require or recommend the use of lemon juice. Jif Lemon 100ml is a great way of adding low calorie flavour to dishes.

Is ReaLemon made from real lemons? ›

ReaLemon and ReaLime are made with the juices of high quality lemons and limes, concentrated to a uniform strength. Then, enough filtered water is added to return this concentrate to the natural strength. Oil from the peel is added and the true taste of lemon comes through!

Is real lemon 100% lemon juice good for you? ›

The Bottom Line. Lemons contain a high amount of vitamin C, soluble fiber, and plant compounds that give them a number of health benefits. Lemons may aid weight loss and reduce your risk of heart disease, anemia, kidney stones, digestive issues, and cancer.

How much bottled lemon juice should I put in my water? ›

To obtain the health benefits of drinking lemon water, experts recommend adding three-fourths of a cup of lemon juice to your water per day.

Does bottled lemon juice work as well as fresh? ›

It's (Almost) Never Okay To Use Store-Bought Citrus Juice

The stuff you squeeze by hand has less time to oxidize and no funny preservatives, which means its flavor is brighter and more pronounced compared to the bitter or muted bottled versions.

Is there citric acid in store-bought lemon juice? ›

Results. Lemon juice and lime juice are rich sources of citric acid, containing 1.44 and 1.38 g/oz, respectively. Lemon and lime juice concentrates contain 1.10 and 1.06 g/oz, respectively. The citric acid content of commercially available lemonade and other juice products varies widely, ranging from 0.03 to 0.22 g/oz.

Does bottled lemon juice contain pectin? ›

Not for pectin, as many people think; bitter oranges have plenty of pectin, and lemon juice has very little. In all citrus fruits, the pectin is mainly in the peel and pith and around the seeds. Lemon juice is added to jams and jellies because the acid helps the pectin do the work of jelling.

Is ReaLemon the same as lemon juice? ›

ReaLemon is prepared from lemon juice concentrate that is formulated at a controlled consistent strength, and after the addition of water, the end-product is a 100% lemon juice product. When bottled, filtered water is used and the product is reconstituted to the strength of natural lemon juice.

Can I use Jif lemon instead of a real lemon? ›

Jif Lemon 100ml can be used in recipes that require or recommend the use of lemon juice. Jif Lemon 100ml is a great way of adding low calorie flavour to dishes.

Is concentrated lemon juice good for the kidneys? ›

Citrate, a salt in citric acid, binds to calcium and helps block stone formation. "Studies have shown that drinking 1/2 cup of lemon juice concentrate diluted in water each day, or the juice of two lemons, can increase urine citrate and likely reduce kidney stone risk," says Dr. Eisner.

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