Basil, fresh & Diabetes
Low glycemic impact for the stated serving. Glycemic load of 0 per 100g.
✅ Nutrition data verified · GL 0/100g · GI None · TIER 4 ⚠️ GI: Low-Carb Estimate
GI estimated by low-carbohydrate inference — not directly tested. [1] [3]
Glycemic Impact
Nutrition Overview
Better Alternatives
🍽️ Vanilla extract, imitation, alcohol
GL 0/100g — Low GL
Rated diabetes-friendly — lower glycemic impact than your current selection.
Vanilla extract, imitation, alcohol & diabetes →🍽️ Vinegar, distilled
GL 0/100g — Low GL
Rated diabetes-friendly — lower glycemic impact than your current selection.
Vinegar, distilled & diabetes →🍽️ Capers, canned
GL 0/100g — Low GL
Fiber 3.2g/100g. Rated diabetes-friendly — lower glycemic impact than your current selection.
Capers, canned & diabetes →🍽️ Vinegar, red wine
GL 0/100g — Low GL
Rated diabetes-friendly — lower glycemic impact than your current selection.
Vinegar, red wine & diabetes →Practical Guidance
💡 Check Your Own Response
Individual blood sugar responses vary. Use a glucose meter to understand how this food affects you personally.
💡 Glycemic Load Over Glycemic Index
GL accounts for both the speed AND amount of carbohydrate, making it more practical for real-world eating than GI alone.
💡 Pair Carbs With Protein
Adding protein to a carbohydrate-containing meal slows digestion and helps prevent blood sugar spikes.
💡 Fiber Is Your Friend
Dietary fiber slows carbohydrate absorption. Aim for at least 3g of fiber per serving of carbohydrate foods.
More Spices and Herbs to Compare
Quick Answers
Can Basil fit into a diabetes meal plan?
Basil is rated diabetes-friendly (GL 0) based on available glycemic data. A standard serving is unlikely to cause a sharp blood glucose rise, but individual responses differ.
Where does Basil sit on the glycemic load scale?
The glycemic load of Basil is 0 per 100g. GL is calculated by multiplying the GI (0) by the available carbohydrates (1.0g) and dividing by 100.
How does Basil affect blood sugar?
Blood sugar impact of Basil: Low. The key factors are its GI (0) and available carb content (1.0g/100g), which together produce a GL of 0.
Is the GI value accurate?
The GI of 0 for Basil is estimated (Tier 4), not directly ISO-tested on this specific food. It is based on the weighted average GI of foods in the Spices and Herbs category from the International GI Tables (Atkinson et al., 2021). Actual GI may vary by variety, ripeness, cooking method, and individual response. We display estimated values with full transparency so you can make informed decisions.
References & Data Sources
Data Tier: TIER 4 — estimated from category average
Glycemic Index (GI): 0 — None. Source: International GI Tables (Atkinson, Brand-Miller et al., Diabetes Care, 2021). University of Sydney GI Research Service.
GL (per serving, 100g) = 0 × 100 ÷ 100 = 0.0
Nutrition Data: USDA FoodData Central, SR Legacy Release (April 2018). FDC ID: 172232. Data are in the public domain (CC0 1.0).
GL Classification: ≤10 = Low (Low GL), 11–19 = Moderate (Eat in Moderation), ≥20 = High (Limit). Based on University of Sydney Glycemic Index Foundation classification.
⚠️ GI value is estimated, not directly ISO-tested on this specific food. Actual GI may vary by variety, cooking method, and individual glycemic response.
Cite this page: GlycemicWise. “Basil, fresh — Glycemic Load & Diabetes Reference.” GlycemicWise, July 2026. https://glycemicwise.com/foods/basil-fresh/
Dietary reference — not medical advice. This page provides evidence-based dietary reference information for general educational purposes. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Individual blood sugar responses vary significantly. Always check your blood glucose to understand your personal response to foods, and talk to your doctor or a registered dietitian before changing your diet. Data sources are cited above and publicly available from the USDA and the University of Sydney Glycemic Index Research Service.