Lychee glycemic index
Lychee has a glycemic index of 58, which is medium. A 120 g serving (about 10 lychees) has a glycemic load of 11 (medium).
Also known as: litchi, lichee
- Serving120 g
- Available carbs18 g
- Fiber1.6 g
- Sugars18 g
- Protein1 g
- Calories79 kcal
Serving: about 10 lychees.
What to know
Lychee has a medium GI and is sweeter than most fruits. Ten lychees is roughly one serving; canned lychees in syrup add a lot of 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 | 7.6 g | 4 | Low |
| 100 g | 15 g | 9 | Low |
| 120 g · about 10 lychees | 18 g | 11 | Medium |
| 240 g · double serving | 36 g | 21 | High |
What the studies found
The value of 58 is the median of 4 published measurements in the International Tables of Glycemic Index (2021). Results range from 48 to 79. That spread is normal: GI changes with variety, ripeness, cooking and processing, and between labs.
Each dot is one study. Green dots followed the ISO 26642 standard method.
- 48 · Taiwan 2010
- 57 · Australia 2009
- 60 · Taiwan 2010
- 79 · China 2000
Lychee compared with other fruits
Lower-GI swaps
Know the glycemic index of any meal from a photo
Tables work for single foods. The app estimates the GI and glycemic load of your whole plate, with real portions.
- Scan your plate or just describe it
- GI, glycemic load, calories and macros
- An AI nutritionist that knows your meals
Frequently asked questions
Is lychee low glycemic?
No. With a GI of 58, lychee is in the medium range (56 to 69). Low GI is 55 or less.
What is the glycemic load of lychee?
A 120 g serving (about 10 lychees) has a glycemic load of 11, which is medium. 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 lychee?
With a GI of 58 and a medium glycemic load per serving, lychee can be part of a diabetes-friendly diet with attention to portion size and pairing it with protein, fat or fiber. Everyone responds differently, so talk to your doctor or dietitian about your plan.
How many carbs are in lychee?
A 120 g serving has about 20 g of total carbohydrate, including 1.6 g of fiber, leaving 18.2 g of available carbohydrate (the part that raises blood sugar). Per 100 g: 16.5 g of carbohydrate.
Nutrition facts
| per 100 g | Serving (120 g) | |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 66 kcal | 79 kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 17 g | 20 g |
| Available carbs | 15 g | 18 g |
| Fiber | 1.3 g | 1.6 g |
| Sugars | 15 g | 18 g |
| Protein | 0.8 g | 1 g |
| Fat | 0.4 g | 0.5 g |
Source: USDA FoodData Central, Litchis, raw (SR Legacy, FDC 169086). 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.