Cucumber Glycemic Index
Low GI · The honest verdict
Gentle on blood sugar
Glycemic index
15
per source
Glycemic load
1
Low GL
This food's glycemic index is 15, which is Low GI.
Cucumber has very little effect on blood sugar due to its low carbohydrate content and low GI. It is one of the safest vegetables for people with diabetes and can be eaten freely in normal portions. This is general nutrition information, not medical advice — people with diabetes should confirm dietary choices with their care team.
GI numbers vary by source, ripeness, and how a food is prepared. This is general nutrition information — not medical advice. If you manage diabetes, confirm specifics with your care team.
Key facts
Cucumber has a GI of about 15 — one of the lowest values among all foods tested.
One cup of raw cucumber contains only 16 calories and 3.8 g of total carbohydrates.
Cucumber is 96% water by weight, making it one of the most hydrating foods available.
Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health — The Nutrition Source: Water.
What's actually inside
Per 100 g, with your typical serving noted as 1 cup (104 g), raw, with peel. The carb family is what moves blood sugar — fiber is the number that softens the spike.
- Total carbs
- 3.8g
- Net carbs
- 3.5g
- total carbs minus fiber
- Fiber
- 0.3g
- slows the glucose rise
- Sugars
- 1.7g
- Protein
- 0.7g
- Calories
- 16kcal
Notable nutrients
- Vitamin K17 mcg
- Vitamin C3.8 mg
- Potassium152 mg
- Magnesium14 mg
- Manganese0.1 mg
Is it a smart choice for blood sugar?
GI is only half the story — portion (glycemic load) and what you eat it with decide the real-world effect. Here's the honest read.
The verdict
Excellent — negligible blood sugar impact
Cucumber has very little effect on blood sugar due to its low carbohydrate content and low GI. It is one of the safest vegetables for people with diabetes and can be eaten freely in normal portions. This is general nutrition information, not medical advice — people with diabetes should confirm dietary choices with their care team.
Portion guidance
Cucumber can be consumed in generous portions without concern for blood sugar. A full cup of sliced cucumber contains only about 3.5 g of net carbs and a glycemic load of 1. Even eating an entire cucumber (about 300 g) would provide roughly 10 g of net carbs and a GL of 3 — still negligible.
This is general nutrition information, not personal medical advice. Blood sugar responses are individual — if you have diabetes or prediabetes, your care team can tell you how this fits your plan.
How to keep the spike small
The same food can land differently depending on how it's cooked and what it's eaten with. Use these levers to your advantage.
Peeling
Little effectPeeling cucumber removes some fiber from the skin but has minimal effect on GI since the carbohydrate content is already very low. The flesh alone still has negligible glycemic impact.
Pickling
Raises GIPickled cucumbers (dill pickles) typically contain added sugar in the brine, which raises the carb content and GI slightly. However, the amount per serving is still small, and pickles remain low-GI overall.
Juicing
Raises GIJuicing cucumber removes fiber and concentrates the natural sugars, slightly increasing the glycemic response. However, even cucumber juice has a very low GI compared to fruit juices.
Adding to smoothies
Lowers the spikeAdding cucumber to fruit smoothies dilutes the overall sugar content and lowers the meal's glycemic load, making it a useful low-GI addition to higher-carb smoothies.
Pairing tip
Cucumber pairs well with high-protein foods like yogurt (tzatziki), hummus, or chicken salad. Its high water content and low carb profile make it an ideal base for vegetable platters and salads. Adding cucumber to meals increases volume and hydration without raising the glycemic load.
Why GI numbers vary
Cucumber GI is consistently reported as very low across sources, typically around 15. The minor variation in reported values (12–18) reflects differences in cucumber varieties, growing conditions, and testing methods. Because the values are all in the very low range, this variation has no practical significance for blood sugar management.
Not medical advice. This page is general nutrition information about Cucumber. It isn't a diagnosis or a treatment plan. If you have diabetes, prediabetes, or another condition affecting blood sugar, confirm any dietary decisions with your doctor or care team.
Frequently Asked Questions
Cucumber has a glycemic index of approximately 15, which is very low. This means it causes minimal and slow rise in blood sugar levels. The GI value is consistent across sources because cucumber contains very little carbohydrate — about 3.8 g per cup. It is one of the lowest-GI foods available.
Yes, cucumber is excellent for people with diabetes. Its very low carbohydrate content (about 3.5 g net carbs per cup) and low GI mean it has negligible impact on blood sugar. Cucumber can be eaten freely as a snack, in salads, or as a crunchy addition to meals. It also provides hydration, vitamin K, and vitamin C. This is general nutrition information — individuals should consult their healthcare team for personalized advice.
Absolutely. Cucumber is a staple on keto and low-carb diets. With only about 3.5 g of net carbs per cup, you can eat generous portions without exceeding your daily carb limit. It is often used as a low-carb substitute for crackers or chips, and as a hydrating base for salads and dips.
No, cucumber does not meaningfully raise blood sugar. Its glycemic load per serving is about 1, which is negligible. Even eating a whole cucumber provides only about 10 g of net carbs, which is less than what you would get from a single slice of bread. Cucumber is considered a free food for blood sugar management.
Cucumber is among the lowest-GI vegetables, similar to leafy greens like lettuce and spinach. It has even fewer carbs than broccoli or cauliflower. For comparison, a cup of cucumber has about 3.8 g total carbs, while a cup of broccoli has about 6 g. Cucumber is one of the safest choices for minimal blood sugar impact.
Dill pickles are still low GI, but some commercial varieties contain added sugar. A typical dill pickle spear has about 1–2 g of carbs, mostly from the cucumber itself plus a small amount of added sugar. Check labels for added sugars. Fermented pickles (without sugar) have essentially the same GI as fresh cucumber.
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Reviewed by
Curex Editorial TeamReviewed for accuracy
Last reviewed July 2026