Cherries glycemic index
Cherries has a glycemic index of 26, which is low. A 120 g serving (about 1 cup) has a glycemic load of 4 (low).
Also known as: cherry, sweet cherries
- Serving120 g
- Available carbs17 g
- Fiber2.5 g
- Sugars15 g
- Protein1.3 g
- Calories76 kcal
Serving: about 1 cup.
What to know
Cherries have one of the lowest GI values of any fruit. Stick to fresh or frozen cherries; maraschino and syrup-packed cherries are mostly added sugar.
Glycemic load by portion size
GI stays the same whatever you eat, but glycemic load scales with the amount: eating twice as much doubles the effect on blood sugar.
| Amount | Available carbs | Glycemic load | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50 g | 7 g | 2 | Low |
| 100 g | 14 g | 4 | Low |
| 120 g · about 1 cup | 17 g | 4 | Low |
| 240 g · double serving | 33 g | 9 | Low |
What the studies found
The value of 26 is the median of 2 published measurements in the International Tables of Glycemic Index (2021). Results are fairly consistent (22 to 29).
Each dot is one study. Green dots followed the ISO 26642 standard method.
- 22 · Germany 1977
- 29 · Iran 2009
Cherries compared with other fruits
Similar low-GI foods
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Frequently asked questions
Is cherries low glycemic?
Yes. With a GI of 26, cherries is in the low range (55 or less).
What is the glycemic load of cherries?
A 120 g serving (about 1 cup) has a glycemic load of 4, which is low. Glycemic load combines GI with the amount of carbohydrate in the portion: 10 or less is low, 11 to 19 medium and 20 or more high.
Can people with diabetes eat cherries?
With a GI of 26 and a low glycemic load per serving, cherries usually fits a diabetes-friendly diet in normal portions. Everyone responds differently, so talk to your doctor or dietitian about your plan.
How many carbs are in cherries?
A 120 g serving has about 19 g of total carbohydrate, including 2.5 g of fiber, leaving 16.7 g of available carbohydrate (the part that raises blood sugar). Per 100 g: 16 g of carbohydrate.
Nutrition facts
| per 100 g | Serving (120 g) | |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 63 kcal | 76 kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 16 g | 19 g |
| Available carbs | 14 g | 17 g |
| Fiber | 2.1 g | 2.5 g |
| Sugars | 13 g | 15 g |
| Protein | 1.1 g | 1.3 g |
| Fat | 0.2 g | 0.2 g |
Source: USDA FoodData Central, Cherries, sweet, raw (SR Legacy, FDC 171719). 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.