Horned melon (Kiwano) & Diabetes
Low glycemic impact for the stated serving. Glycemic load of 3.7 per 100g.
โ Nutrition data verified ยท GL 3.7/100g ยท GI 49.1 ยท TIER 3 โ ๏ธ GI: Subcategory Estimate
GI estimated from food subcategory average โ not directly tested on this food. [1] [3]
Glycemic Response at a Glance
Key Nutrition Data
How to Include It
๐ก Eat Whole, Not Juiced
Whole fruit contains fiber that buffers sugar absorption. Juices remove this fiber, causing a faster glucose spike.
๐ก Check Your Own Response
Individual blood sugar responses vary. Use a glucose meter to understand how this food affects you personally.
๐ก 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.
๐ก Pair Carbs With Protein
Adding protein to a carbohydrate-containing meal slows digestion and helps prevent blood sugar spikes.
More Fruits and Fruit Juices to Compare
๐ Guava sauce
๐ข Low GL ยท GL 2.9/100g
๐ Cherimoya
๐ข Low GL ยท GL 7.2/100g
๐ Apples
๐ด Limit ยท GL 28.1/100g
Lower-GL Alternatives
๐ Olives, pickled, canned or bottled, green
GL 0.3/100g โ Low GL
Fiber 3.3g/100g. Rated diabetes-friendly โ lower glycemic impact than your current selection.
Olives, pickled, canned or bottled, green & diabetes →๐ Avocados, raw, all commercial varieties
GL 0.9/100g โ Low GL
Fiber 6.7g/100g. Rated diabetes-friendly โ lower glycemic impact than your current selection.
Avocados, raw, all commercial varieties & diabetes →๐ Avocados, raw, California
GL 0.9/100g โ Low GL
Fiber 6.8g/100g. Rated diabetes-friendly โ lower glycemic impact than your current selection.
Avocados, raw, California & diabetes →๐ Avocados, raw, Florida
GL 1.1/100g โ Low GL
Fiber 5.6g/100g. Rated diabetes-friendly โ lower glycemic impact than your current selection.
Avocados, raw, Florida & diabetes →FAQ
How does Horned melon rate for blood sugar control?
Based on its glycemic load of 3.7, Horned melon falls within the diabetes-friendly range. This suggests lower blood sugar impact for the stated serving size. This is a dietary reference, not individual medical guidance.
What is the glycemic load of Horned melon?
Per 100g, Horned melon has a GL of 3.7. This means one standard serving (1 medium) provides approximately 7.7 GL — which is low.
How does Horned melon affect blood sugar?
After eating Horned melon, you can expect a low blood sugar response. The GL of 3.7 means a gentle rise. This can vary based on what else you eat with it.
Is the GI value accurate?
The GI of 49.1 for Horned melon 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, 209.0g) = 3.7 × 209.0 ÷ 100 = 7.7
Nutrition Data: USDA FoodData Central, SR Legacy Release (April 2018). FDC ID: 167791. 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.
โ ๏ธ 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. “Horned melon (Kiwano) — Glycemic Load & Diabetes Reference.” GlycemicWise, July 2026. https://glycemicwise.com/foods/horned-melon-(kiwano)/
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.