Grapefruit glycemic index
Grapefruit has a glycemic index of 26, which is low. A 120 g serving (half a grapefruit) has a glycemic load of 3 (low).
Also known as: pink grapefruit
- Serving120 g
- Available carbs11 g
- Fiber1.9 g
- Sugars8.3 g
- Protein0.9 g
- Calories50 kcal
Serving: half a grapefruit.
What to know
Grapefruit has one of the lowest GI values of all fruits. Note that grapefruit interacts with several medications, including some statins; check with your pharmacist if you take regular medication.
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 | 4.6 g | 1 | Low |
| 100 g | 9.1 g | 2 | Low |
| 120 g · half a grapefruit | 11 g | 3 | Low |
| 240 g · double serving | 22 g | 6 | Low |
What the studies found
The value comes from a single published measurement in the International Tables of Glycemic Index (2021), so treat it as a guide.
Grapefruit compared with other fruits
Similar low-GI foods
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Frequently asked questions
Is grapefruit low glycemic?
Yes. With a GI of 26, grapefruit is in the low range (55 or less).
What is the glycemic load of grapefruit?
A 120 g serving (half a grapefruit) has a glycemic load of 3, 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 grapefruit?
With a GI of 26 and a low glycemic load per serving, grapefruit 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 grapefruit?
A 120 g serving has about 13 g of total carbohydrate, including 1.9 g of fiber, leaving 10.9 g of available carbohydrate (the part that raises blood sugar). Per 100 g: 10.7 g of carbohydrate.
Nutrition facts
| per 100 g | Serving (120 g) | |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 42 kcal | 50 kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 11 g | 13 g |
| Available carbs | 9.1 g | 11 g |
| Fiber | 1.6 g | 1.9 g |
| Sugars | 6.9 g | 8.3 g |
| Protein | 0.8 g | 0.9 g |
| Fat | 0.1 g | 0.2 g |
Source: USDA FoodData Central, Grapefruit, raw, pink and red, all areas (SR Legacy, FDC 174673). 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.