Orange juice, canned, unsweetened
Whole food · Fruits and Fruit Juices
Photo: Wikipedia
Canned unsweetened orange juice is a shelf-stable, liquid extract of fresh oranges, offering a bright, tangy-sweet flavor and a smooth, consistent texture. It delivers a concentrated dose of vitamin C and quick energy from natural sugars, making it a convenient and refreshing beverage. Its nutritional profile is lean, with minimal fat and protein, focusing primarily on carbohydrates and essential micronutrients.
Calorie split: 6% protein · 92% carbs · 3% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People love it for its bright, nostalgic flavor that instantly refreshes and its unmatched convenience for a quick, nutrient-packed drink. It's a staple in breakfast routines, cocktails, and marinades, valued for its ability to add a sweet-tart punch to countless recipes.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
The high natural sugar content can cause rapid blood-sugar spikes, especially for those with insulin sensitivity, and the lack of fiber means it's less satiating than whole fruit. To counteract this, pair it with a source of protein or healthy fat (like eggs or nuts) and practice portion control by limiting intake to 1/2 cup per serving.
Key benefits
- Excellent source of vitamin C for immune support and skin health.
- Provides quick, natural energy from fruit sugars.
- Convenient, shelf-stable source of hydration and nutrients.
- Contains potassium, which supports heart and muscle function.
- Often fortified with calcium and vitamin D in some brands.
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The process of making canned orange juice involves 'cut-back,' where the juice is concentrated by evaporating water and then reconstituted with water and fresh juice to standardize flavor, which is why it often tastes slightly different from fresh-squeezed.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 87.7 g |
| Energy | 47.0 kcal |
| Energy | 196 kj |
| Protein | 0.68 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 0.15 g |
| Ash | 0.43 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 11.0 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 0.30 g |
| Total Sugars | 8.8 g |
| Sucrose | 4.1 g |
| Glucose | 2.3 g |
| Fructose | 2.4 g |
| Lactose | 0.00 g |
| Maltose | 0.00 g |
| Galactose | 0.00 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 10.0 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 0.10 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 10.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 17.0 mg |
| Potassium, K | 184 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 4.0 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 0.04 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.02 mg |
| Manganese, Mn | 0.02 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 0.10 ug |
| Fluoride, F | 31.3 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 30.1 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.04 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.02 mg |
| Niacin | 0.20 mg |
| Pantothenic acid | 0.18 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.03 mg |
| Folate, total | 24.0 ug |
| Folic acid | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, food | 24.0 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 24.0 ug |
| Choline, total | 6.2 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 9.0 ug |
| Retinol | 0.00 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 29.0 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 5.0 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 148 ug |
| Vitamin A, IU | 175 iu |
| Lycopene | 0.00 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 115 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 0.20 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3), International Units | 0.00 iu |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 0.10 ug |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 0.00 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 0.02 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 0.02 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 0.03 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 0.02 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 0.03 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 0.03 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.01 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total trans | 0.00 g |
| Cholesterol | 0.00 mg |
Amino acid profile (per 100g)
| Tryptophan | 0.00 g |
| Threonine | 0.01 g |
| Isoleucine | 0.01 g |
| Leucine | 0.01 g |
| Lysine | 0.01 g |
| Methionine | 0.00 g |
| Cystine | 0.01 g |
| Phenylalanine | 0.01 g |
| Tyrosine | 0.00 g |
| Valine | 0.01 g |
| Arginine | 0.05 g |
| Histidine | 0.00 g |
| Alanine | 0.01 g |
| Aspartic acid | 0.07 g |
| Glutamic acid | 0.03 g |
| Glycine | 0.01 g |
| Proline | 0.04 g |
| Serine | 0.01 g |
FAQ
Is canned unsweetened orange juice as nutritious as fresh-squeezed?
It retains most vitamins like vitamin C but may have slightly less due to processing and storage. The main difference is the lack of fiber and a more uniform flavor profile.
How long does canned orange juice last after opening?
Once opened, it should be transferred to a sealed container and refrigerated, where it will stay fresh for 3-5 days.
Can I use canned orange juice in baking?
Yes, it works well in cakes, muffins, and glazes, adding moisture and citrus flavor. It's often used in recipes like orange pound cake or citrus marinades.
Does canned orange juice contain added sugars?
Unsweetened varieties contain no added sugars, only the natural sugars from the fruit. Always check the label to confirm.
Nutrient density (calculated · NRF9.3)
Nutrient Rich Foods index: beneficial nutrients (protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals) minus saturated fat, added sugar & sodium, per 100 kcal.
NRF9.3 index — Fulgoni, Keast & Drewnowski, 2009. Computed from USDA nutrients.
Weight-loss friendliness (composite index)
Energy density 0.47 kcal/g · 6% calories from protein · 0.3 g fiber · 8.8 g sugar per 100 g.
Composite of energy density (Rolls et al., 1999), protein & fiber satiety, minus sugar. A calculated heuristic — ranks satiety-per-calorie, not a clinical measure.
Dietary load (calculated from USDA values)
Potential renal acid load. Positive = acid-forming, negative = alkaline-forming.
Sodium-to-potassium ratio: 0.02 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.