What are considered citrus juices?

Citrus juices are drinks made by squeezing or pressing the natural liquid from citrus fruits. They are popular due to their refreshing, tart taste and natural sweetness. Citrus fruits belong to the Rutaceae family and are characterized by their juicy segments, acidic juice, and bright zesty flavors. Some of the most common citrus juices include orange juice, lemon juice, lime juice, and grapefruit juice.

Common Citrus Fruits Used for Juice

There are many different types of citrus fruits that can be used to make juice. Here are some of the most popular:

• Oranges – Sweet or sour oranges are most commonly used for orange juice. Popular orange varieties include navel oranges, Valencia oranges, blood oranges, and cara cara oranges.
• Lemons – Known for their bright, acidic taste. Common lemon varieties used for juice include Eureka, Lisbon, Meyer, and Femminello St. Teresa.
• Limes – Key lime and Persian lime varieties are commonly juiced. Limes have a bold, tropical flavor.
• Grapefruits – Large, tart citrus fruit used to make a bitter, robust juice. Common varieties include ruby red, white, and pink or Star Ruby grapefruits.
• Mandarins – Group of small, sweet citrus fruits that includes tangerines, clementines, satsumas, and tangors. All can be juiced.
• Pomelos – Mild, sweet and low acid citrus that can be pressed into juice. Also known as shaddocks or pummelos.

In addition to these common varieties, most other edible citrus fruits can also be used to make fresh pressed juices. This includes citrons, bergamots, yuzu, sudachi, kumquats, and bitter oranges.

Nutritional Profile of Citrus Juices

Citrus juices are packed with beneficial vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and phytochemicals. Here is an overview of the nutrition found in common citrus juices:

Citrus Juice	Calories	Carbs	Sugars	Vitamin C	Potassium	Folate
Orange juice	112	25g	21g	124mg	496mg	54mcg
Grapefruit juice	96	22g	20g	120mg	666mg	16mcg
Lemon juice	61	15g	12g	112mg	138mg	10mcg
Lime juice	42	13g	6g	29mg	102mg	8mcg

As shown, citrus juices are naturally low in calories and rich sources of vitamin C. They also contain beneficial potassium, folate, and trace levels of other vitamins and minerals. Additionally, citrus juices are packed with antioxidants like hesperidin, naringin, and limonoids that can help neutralize free radicals and reduce inflammation.

Differences Between Citrus Juice Varieties

While all citrus juices share some nutritive similarities, each type has its own unique set of properties and flavors:

Orange Juice

Orange juice is by far the most popular citrus juice variety. It has a bold, sweet, and slightly tart flavor. It is rich in the antioxidant hesperidin and contains significant amounts of vitamin C, folate, potassium, thiamine, and vitamin B6. There are a few main types of orange juice:

• Not From Concentrate (NFC) – Freshly squeezed and unprocessed orange juice.
• Frozen Concentrate – Juice concentrated into a frozen slurry then reconstituted with water.
• Pasteurized – Heat treated juice that improves shelf life while retaining fresh taste.

Grapefruit Juice

Grapefruit juice has a bold, mouth-puckering taste that is more bitter and tart than orange juice. It contains antioxidants like limonoids and lycopene. Grapefruit juice is rich in vitamin C but lower in other vitamins and minerals compared to other citrus juices. It has naringin that can interact with certain medications.

Lemon Juice

Lemon juice is extremely tart, acidic, and sour tasting. It is used heavily in cooking and adds great flavor to vegetables, seafood, baked goods, and drinks. Lemon juice contains vitamin C, potassium, folate, and the antioxidant limonene. However, it has less overall nutrients compared to other citrus due to its acidity.

Lime Juice

Lime juice has an assertive, zesty flavor. It tastes less sour than lemon juice due to its milder acids. Lime juice adds lots of flavor but relatively few calories, carbs, and sugars. It contains high amounts of vitamin C along with potassium, folate, flavonoids, limonene, and coumarins.

Other Citrus Juice Differences

Other, less common citrus juices like yuzu, bergamot, pomelo and Seville orange each have their own unique taste, nutrition, and culinary uses. For example, bitter Seville orange juice is commonly used in marmalades and liqueurs. Bergamot has a distinctive floral, citrusy flavor and is used in Earl Grey tea. Pomelo juice is sweet and mild and often added to fruit salads.

Grades of Orange Juice

There are a few recognized grades of orange juice that denote quality. Higher grades generally taste better with more natural orange flavor. Here are some common grades found on orange juice labels:

• Grade A – Highest quality orange juice with great flavor.
• Grade B – Good quality orange juice but less flavor than Grade A.
• Grade C – Lower quality orange juice with weaker orange taste.
• Reconstituted – Orange juice made from concentrate.

When choosing orange juice, Grade A and sometimes Grade B are the best options in terms of flavor. Grade C and reconstituted orange juices will taste less fresh and natural.

Choosing the Best Citrus Juices

Here are some tips for selecting quality citrus juices:

• Read labels and choose 100% juices without added sugars or syrups.
• For orange juice, select Not From Concentrate or Grade A for the freshest taste.
• Avoid added flavors, preservatives, and coloring.
• Always check the expiration date and choose juice that smells fresh.
• If possible, choose locally produced citrus juices.
• When refrigerated and unopened, juices can last 7-10 days past the printed expiration date.

Making your own fresh squeezed juice at home can provide the highest quality, flavor, and nutrition. However, quality store-bought juices can also be healthy and convenient options.

Nutritional Benefits of Citrus Juices

Drinking citrus juices provides many benefits beyond just great taste. Here are some of the top health reasons to drink citrus juices:

Excellent Source of Vitamin C

Citrus juices are packed with vitamin C, providing over 100% of the recommended daily intake per serving. Vitamin C acts as an antioxidant to quench free radicals, boost immunity, support collagen production, and enhance iron absorption.

Anti-Inflammatory Effects

Compounds in citrus juices like hesperidin, naringin, and limonoids have anti-inflammatory properties that may help reduce systemic inflammation. This provides benefits for cardiovascular health, brain function, and more.

Support Heart Health

Studies show that consuming citrus juices regularly is associated with improved blood lipid levels, lower blood pressure, and reduced risk of heart disease. The vitamin C, potassium, folate and antioxidants provide these cardio-protective effects.

May Reduce Kidney Stone Risk

The citrate and potassium in citrus juices have been shown to help inhibit kidney stone formation. Orange juice and lemonade are considered effective for supporting kidney health.

Boost Liver Function

Animal studies indicate that limonoids and other compounds in citrus juice may help detoxify the liver and support its metabolic and fat burning functions.

Improve Iron Absorption

Vitamin C in citrus juices enhances the absorption of non-heme iron from plant foods. This makes citrus juice an ideal pairing with iron-rich meals and snacks.

Potential Downsides of Citrus Juices

Despite their many health benefits, there are also some potential downsides of too much citrus juice:

• High in natural sugars – Can spike blood sugar in excess.
• May irritate sensitive stomachs – Acidity can cause heartburn or reflux in some.
• Tooth enamel erosion – Acids may damage tooth enamel over time, especially without brushing.
• May interact with medications – Especially grapefruit juice due to naringin.
• Oxalates – Lemon and lime juice contains oxalates that could worsen kidney problems when consumed in excess.

For most people, 4-8 ounces of citrus juice per day is a healthy and safe amount, split into a few servings. Those with medical conditions should check with a doctor before regularly drinking citrus juices.

Tips for Using Citrus Juices

Here are some simple ways to use and enjoy citrus juices:

• Add to smoothies – Boost nutrition by blending orange juice or lemon juice into fruit or green smoothies.
• Make infused water – Add sliced lemon, lime, or orange to water for refreshing citrus-infused drinks.
• Mix into dressings and marinades – Lemon or lime juice can brighten up salad dressings, fish marinades, and chicken.
• Use in baking and cooking – Orange zest and lemon juice add great flavor to cakes, cookies, grains, and more.
• Create juice blends – Mix and match different citrus juices or blend with vegetable juices.
• Make fresh lemonade or limeade – Sweeten fresh squeezed lemon or lime juice for homemade lemonade.

Drink plain over ice or use citrus juices to accent foods and beverages. Experiment with different varieties and juice combinations to take advantage of their many flavors and health perks.

Common Questions about Citrus Juices

Are citrus juices acidic?

Yes, all citrus juices are acidic with pH levels ranging from 2-4. Lemon and lime juice are the most acidic. Grapefruit is moderately acidic. Orange juice is the least acidic citrus variety.

Can citrus juices count towards your daily fruit servings?

Yes, both 100% citrus juices and fresh citrus fruit can count towards your daily fruit intake recommendations. The juice provides many nutrients from the whole fruit in a convenient form.

Should you brush your teeth after drinking citrus juice?

It’s a good idea, especially if consuming larger amounts. Acids in citrus juice can erode tooth enamel over time. Brushing after helps neutralize acid and prevent enamel damage and cavities.

Is orange juice gluten free?

Yes, pure orange juice and all other citrus juices are naturally gluten free. However, some commercially produced juices are mixed with other ingredients or processed on equipment that also processes wheat. Always check labels for gluten free verification.

Can you substitute lemon juice for lime juice?

Yes, lemon and lime juice can be swapped in most recipes. Lemon juice tastes slightly sweeter while lime has a bold, bitter edge. Adjust ratios to account for acidity and sweetness differences.

Conclusion

Citrus juices like orange juice, lemon juice, lime juice and grapefruit juice provide the fresh taste and nutrition of citrus fruits in a convenient, beverage form. They are naturally low calorie, high in vitamin C and other key nutrients, and packed with flavonoids. Drinking moderate amounts of citrus juices as part of a healthy diet can provide anti-inflammatory effects, improve heart health, boost immunity, enhance iron absorption, and more. When possible, choose 100% varietal juices free of added sugars or syrups. Citrus juices make great additions to smoothies, infused waters, mixed drinks, marinades, dressings, and baked goods.