Bell pepper glycemic index

Bell pepper has no measurable glycemic index: a 80 g serving (1 side portion) has only 3.1 g of available carbohydrate, so its glycemic load is about 0 and it barely raises blood sugar on its own.

Also known as: capsicum, red pepper, sweet pepper

Glycemic indexNone
—
too little carbohydrate
Glycemic loadLow
<1
per 80 g
  • Serving80 g
  • Available carbs3.1 g
  • Fiber1.7 g
  • Sugars3.4 g
  • Protein0.8 g
  • Calories21 kcal

Serving: 1 side portion.

What to know

Bell peppers are low in carbohydrate and rich in vitamin C, with a negligible glycemic load.

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Frequently asked questions

Does bell pepper have a glycemic index?

Not a measurable one. GI can only be tested in foods with enough carbohydrate: the test needs a 25 or 50 g carbohydrate portion. Bell pepper has 3.9 g per 100 g, so its direct effect on blood sugar is minimal and its glycemic load is about 0.

Does bell pepper raise blood sugar?

Barely, on its own. What matters more is what you eat it with: bread, rice, potatoes, sauces or sugary drinks. Pairing carbohydrate foods with protein, fat or fiber tends to soften the rise.

How many carbs are in bell pepper?

A 80 g serving has about 4.8 g of total carbohydrate, including 1.7 g of fiber, leaving 3.1 g of available carbohydrate (the part that raises blood sugar). Per 100 g: 6 g of carbohydrate.

Nutrition facts

per 100 gServing (80 g)
Calories26 kcal21 kcal
Carbohydrates6 g4.8 g
Available carbs3.9 g3.1 g
Fiber2.1 g1.7 g
Sugars4.2 g3.4 g
Protein1 g0.8 g
Fat0.3 g0.2 g

Source: USDA FoodData Central, Peppers, sweet, red, raw (SR Legacy, FDC 170108). Available carbohydrate = total carbohydrate minus fiber.

Sources: Atkinson FS, Brand-Miller JC, Foster-Powell K, Buyken AE, Goletzke J. International tables of glycemic index and glycemic load values 2021: a systematic review. Am J Clin Nutr. 2021;114(5):1625–1632. USDA FoodData Central. How we calculate each value: Methodology & sources.

Data last reviewed 2026-09-29.