Cranberry juice, unsweetened & Diabetes
Low glycemic impact for the stated serving. Glycemic load of 5.9 per 100g.
✅ Nutrition data verified · GL 5.9/100g · GI 49.1 · TIER 3 ⚠️ GI: Subcategory Estimate
GI estimated from food subcategory average — not directly tested on this food. [1] [3]
How This Food Affects Blood Sugar
Nutrition Profile
This Version vs the Family
The saturated fat figure here is the family ceiling — 0.0 per 100g, about 5 times the family average, where variants run 0-0.0 per 100g. This version carries the most protein in the Cranberry juice group: 0.4 per 100g, about 5 times the family average (spread 0 to 0.4 per 100g).
Verdicts split across the family: the gentlest option is Unsweetened (GL 5.9) and the heaviest is Frozen concentrate (GL 21.2); this one is low gl. Glycemic load across the 6-item Cranberry juice group runs 1.9 to 21.2 per 100g, so the version matters as much as the food. Closest variants worth comparing: Frozen concentrate, Frozen concentrate, Bottled.
Glycemic Load by Serving Size
| Portion | Weight | Carbs | Glycemic Load | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ½ Serving | 16g | 2.0g | 0.9 | Friendly |
| Standard Serving | 32g | 3.9g | 1.9 | Friendly |
| Restaurant Portion | 63g | 7.7g | 3.7 | Friendly |
GL ≤10 = Low (Friendly) · 11–19 = Moderate · ≥20 = High (Limit).
The page-level verdict is based on GL per 100g; this table shows how portion size changes the actual GL you get.
Alternatives to Consider
🍎 Olives, pickled, canned or bottled, green
GL 0.3/100g — Low GL
Fiber 3.3g/100g. Rated diabetes-friendly — lower glycemic impact than your current selection.
Olives, pickled, canned or bottled, green & diabetes →🍎 Avocados, raw, all commercial varieties
GL 0.9/100g — Low GL
Fiber 6.7g/100g. Rated diabetes-friendly — lower glycemic impact than your current selection.
Avocados, raw, all commercial varieties & diabetes →🍎 Avocados, raw, California
GL 0.9/100g — Low GL
Fiber 6.8g/100g. Rated diabetes-friendly — lower glycemic impact than your current selection.
Avocados, raw, California & diabetes →🍎 Avocados, raw, Florida
GL 1.1/100g — Low GL
Fiber 5.6g/100g. Rated diabetes-friendly — lower glycemic impact than your current selection.
Avocados, raw, Florida & diabetes →Other Fruits and Fruit Juices Foods
🍎 Plums
🟡 Eat in Moderation · GL 14.3/100g
🍎 Lemons
🟢 Low GL · GL 3.2/100g
🍎 Pears
🟡 Eat in Moderation · GL 11.6/100g
Tips for Enjoying It
💡 Eat Whole, Not Juiced
Whole fruit contains fiber that buffers sugar absorption. Juices remove this fiber, causing a faster glucose spike.
💡 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cranberry juice good for diabetes?
Cranberry juice scores a GL of 5.9 on the glycemic scale. For context, ≤10 is considered low. This is general dietary information and should not replace personalized guidance from your care team.
What is the glycemic load of Cranberry juice?
Cranberry juice's glycemic load: 5.9 (per 100g). Unlike GI which only measures speed, GL accounts for actual carbohydrate quantity — making it the more practical number for diabetes management.
How does Cranberry juice affect blood sugar?
Blood sugar impact of Cranberry juice: Low. The key factors are its GI (49.1) and available carb content (12.1g/100g), which together produce a GL of 5.9.
Is the GI value accurate?
The GI of 49.1 for Cranberry juice is estimated (Tier 3), not directly ISO-tested on this specific food. It is based on the weighted average GI of foods in the Fruits and Fruit Juices 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.
Where This Data Comes From
Data Tier: TIER 3 — estimated from category average
Glycemic Index (GI): 49.1 — subcategory_avg:Fruits and Fruit Juices. Source: International GI Tables (Atkinson, Brand-Miller et al., Diabetes Care, 2021). University of Sydney GI Research Service.
GL (per serving, 31.6g) = 5.9 × 31.6 ÷ 100 = 1.9
Nutrition Data: USDA FoodData Central, SR Legacy Release (April 2018). FDC ID: 168117. 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. “Cranberry juice, unsweetened — Glycemic Load & Diabetes Reference.” GlycemicWise, July 2026. https://glycemicwise.com/foods/cranberry-juice-unsweetened/
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.