Fresh vs. Bottled Lemon Juice: Which Is Better for Vitamin C and Antioxidants?

Key Takeaways

Fresh lemon juice delivers higher levels of vitamin C and antioxidants because it avoids the nutrient-losing steps used to process and store bottled products.

To preserve vitamin C and antioxidants in fresh lemon juice, store it in a sealed glass container and keep it cold.

Bottled lemon juice retains some nutrients through processing, but doesn't contain the quality of vitamin C and antioxidants found in fresh lemon juice.

While bottled lemon juice is a convenient staple in many recipes, fresh lemon juice is a better source of vitamin C (ascorbic acid) and antioxidants. Understanding how these products compare can help you recognize key nutritional differences, why those differences matter, and determine which option meets your needs.

Fresh Lemon Juice Has More Vitamin