Fruits rich in vitamin C: top 15 immune boosters

Many people swear by vitamin C for strengthening their immune system and getting through the winter. But which fruit is highest in vitamin C? Discover the best vitamin C fruits to include in your diet.

Hardly any nutrient is as important for the body as vitamin C. The ascorbic acid is not only involved in building up connective tissue, but also protects the body from free radicals and promotes absorption of iron. Above all, vitamin C is best known for boosting the immune system. It helps reduce susceptibility to colds as well as their duration. This is why many of us are mindful of our vitamin C intake, especially in winter. So which fruit is highest in vitamin C? Keep reading to find out more about 15 fruits rich in vitamin C.

1. Kakadu plum

With a vitamin C content of 2,300 to 3,150 mg per 100g of pulp, Kakadu plum (Terminalia ferdinandiana; also known as gubinge or billygoat plum) is very likely the fruit with the highest content of vitamin C. The green, oval-shaped fruits of the Kakadu plum are unfortunately not well known outside of Australia, so are rarely found in Europe or the US. However, interest in this unique plum is increasing. Its taste is reminiscent of apricots and plums, which is another factor for the plant’s growing popularity.

2. Camu camu

This fruit is regarded as the new “superfood” from the Amazon rainforest. Camu camu (Myrciaria dubia) is unknown to most people but it has recently started to grow in popularity. This exotic fruit is not only said to support the immune system but also is purported to have a positive effect on the gastro-intestinal tract. It contains many beneficial plant substances and is a great example of a fruit rich in vitamin C, with almost 1,800mg per 100g.

3. Acerola or wild crapemyrtle

A list of fruits highest in vitamin C would not be complete without acerola (Malpighia glabra). It has just under 1,700mg per 100g. This healthy fruit also contains provitamin A and various B vitamins. Unfortunately, the red exotic fruit is seldom found in Europe as fresh fruit. Mostly it comes as juice or dried fruit. Although this reduces the vitamin C content, acerola is still a vitamin bomb, even in its dry or liquid form.

4. Rose hips

Roses (Rosa) are a staple in many gardens, but you might not have expected them to crop up on a list of vitamin C fruits. In autumn, many wild rose species produce rose hips but they are rarely used. And what a shame! Hardly any other plant native to Europe has as much vitamin C. Depending on the variety, up to 500mg of the immune system-supporting substance is contained in just 100g of rose hips. What is more, there are a whole bunch of ways to devour these delicious wild berries. You can enjoy the fruity flavour raw or boiled to make tea or jam.

5. Seaberry

Sea buckthorn or seaberry (Hippophae rhamnoides) is teasingly referred to as the “lemon of the north” because it has a rather sour taste. However, in terms of vitamin C, seaberry outdoes lemon by far. At 450mg per 100g, the small fruit contains almost ten times the vitamin C content of a lemon. Sea buckthorn bears fruit from December until spring, making it the perfect vitamin C fruit for winter.

6. Guava

Common guava (Psidium guajava) is rarely eaten fresh in Europe – unfortunately so. It has a beautiful bright pink and orange colour with a pleasant sweet and sour taste. And what is more, its vitamin C content is 273mg per 100g, making guava an excellent source of nutrients and, with just under 34kcal, a great low-calorie snack.

7. Blackcurrant

Of all the fruits native to Europe, blackcurrant (Ribes nigrum) are the fruit highest in vitamin C. At just under 180mg per 100g, the small berries even have almost five times more vitamin C than their cousins, redcurrants. In Europe, blackcurrant is unfortunately only in season from June to August. However, it can easily be processed into jam or juice and thus be preserved for the winter months. Alternatively, store your blackcurrants in the freezer for a tasty treat in winter.

8. Papaya

Want to cover your entire daily vitamin C supply with just one fruit? No problem with papaya (Carica papaya) — this tropical fruit contains a whopping 80mg per 100g. Papaya is also an excellent source of potassium. The tropical fruit can be found in Northern hemisphere supermarkets all year round so you can enjoy them through the winter season. When buying papayas, however, be careful to choose fruits that are still unripe, as they will continue to ripen even after you purchase them.

9. Strawberry

Many children wait impatiently for May, when the strawberries come back into season, and the sweet fruits can be eaten fresh from the field. Adults often cannot wait either! We all know they’re tasty, but would you have thought they’d be among the fruits high in vitamin C? Fortunately, strawberries (Fragaria) are extremely healthy, with 65mg vitamin C and just 32kcal per 100g, these red berries should be a part of everybody’s diet.

10. Lemon

If you think of a fruit rich in vitamin C, you simply cannot forget lemons (Citrus × lime). The sour citrus fruit has always had a reputation for being particularly rich in nutrients. When people ask themselves which fruit is highest in vitamin C, many immediately think of lemons. But how much vitamin C do lemons really contain? Actually, at around 53mg per 100g, lemons are surprisingly average on our list. Nevertheless, drinking some hot lemon water as a household remedy for colds will definitely not do any harm.

11. Orange

It’s not surprising that oranges (Citrus sinensis L.) have made it onto our list of fruits rich in vitamin C. As well as giving you a delicious start to the day, a glass of orange juice helps to cover your daily vitamin C intake: with around 50mg per 100g, this citrus fruit packs a real punch of vitamins. On top of this, oranges also contain numerous minerals such as potassium, magnesium and calcium.

12. Grapefruit

Due to its slightly bitter taste, grapefruit (Citrus paradisi L.) is not for everyone. But if you are not put off by that, you can benefit from including this vitamin C fruit in your diet. Grapefruit contains just under 40mg of vitamin C per 100g. Plus, its bitter substance, called naringin, also lowers cholesterol levels and can even have a positive effect on blood sugar.

13. Mango

Mangos (Mangifera indica) are popular for their sweet aroma. The high vitamin C content of 39mg per 100g is less known but makes it a very healthy snack too. Its B vitamins, vitamin E and a low concentration of acids also ensure that mangoes remain one of the most popular tropical fruits in Europe.

14. Redcurrant

Whether cooked into jam or fresh from the vine – redcurrants (Ribes rubrum) are a sharp-tasting delight. Due to their low calorie and fat content, these berries are also considered extremely healthy. Of course, red currants are also high in vitamin C: on average, 100g of the berries have 36mg, which means that these fruits are true vitamin C bombs.

15. Gooseberry

Gooseberries (Ribes uva-crispa) were long considered to be too sour and almost inedible – but, in fact, their pleasantly refreshing, sweet-sour taste is a real treat. With a vitamin C content of 34mg per 100g, as well as a high vitamin A and vitamin E content, gooseberries offer a rich source of nutrients.

Whilst fruits rich in vitamin C are great for boosting your immune system, there are also plenty of herbs with immune-boosting properties. Learn more in our article dedicated to immune-boosting herbs.