Oil, palm & 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]
How This Food Affects Blood Sugar
Nutrition at a Glance
What to Watch For
⚠️ High Saturated Fat
Oil, palm contains 6.7g of saturated fat per serving — above the 5g threshold recommended by the ADA and AHA. High saturated fat intake is associated with increased cardiovascular risk, which is the leading cause of death in people with diabetes. While this food may have a manageable glycemic load, consider it an occasional choice rather than a daily staple.
ADA Cardiovascular Disease and Risk Management (2024). Diabetes Care, 47(Suppl 1). · AHA Dietary Guidelines.
Lower-GL Alternatives
🍽️ Vegetable oil-butter spread, reduced calorie
GL 0/100g — Low GL
Rated diabetes-friendly — lower glycemic impact than your current selection.
Vegetable oil-butter spread, reduced calorie & diabetes →🍽️ Mayonnaise, made with tofu
GL 0/100g — Low GL
Fiber 1.1g/100g. Rated diabetes-friendly — lower glycemic impact than your current selection.
Mayonnaise, made with tofu & diabetes →🍽️ Oil, flaxseed, cold pressed
GL 0/100g — Low GL
Rated diabetes-friendly — lower glycemic impact than your current selection.
Oil, flaxseed, cold pressed & diabetes →🍽️ Salad dressing, bacon and tomato
GL 0/100g — Low GL
Rated diabetes-friendly — lower glycemic impact than your current selection.
Salad dressing, bacon and tomato & diabetes →Glycemic Load by Serving Size
| Portion | Weight | Carbs | Glycemic Load | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ½ Serving | 7g | 0.0g | 0.0 | High |
| Standard Serving | 14g | 0.0g | 0.0 | High |
| Restaurant Portion | 27g | 0.0g | 0.0 | High |
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.
Other Fats and Oils Foods
🍽️ Margarine-like spread with yogurt
🟢 Low GL · GL /100g
🍽️ Margarine
🟢 Low GL · GL /100g
🍽️ Shortening
🟢 Low GL · GL /100g
Common Questions
How does Oil palm rate for blood sugar control?
Based on its glycemic load of 0, Oil palm 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 GL value does Oil palm carry?
The glycemic load of Oil palm is 0 per 100g. GL is calculated by multiplying the GI (0) by the available carbohydrates (0g) and dividing by 100.
How does Oil palm affect blood sugar?
After eating Oil palm, you can expect a low blood sugar response. The GL of 0 means a gentle rise. This can vary based on what else you eat with it.
Is the GI value accurate?
The GI of 0 for Oil palm is estimated (Tier 4), not directly ISO-tested on this specific food. It is based on the weighted average GI of foods in the Fats and Oils 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.
What about the saturated fat content?
At 6.7g of saturated fat per serving, Oil palm exceeds the 5g threshold that the ADA and AHA recommend for diabetes and heart health. Saturated fat raises LDL cholesterol and is associated with increased cardiovascular risk. While this food may have a manageable glycemic load, it is best as an occasional choice rather than a daily staple. Prioritize foods with unsaturated fats (olive oil, avocado, nuts, fish) for everyday eating.
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, 13.6g) = 0 × 13.6 ÷ 100 = 0.0
Nutrition Data: USDA FoodData Central, SR Legacy Release (April 2018). FDC ID: 171015. 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. “Oil, palm — Glycemic Load & Diabetes Reference.” GlycemicWise, July 2026. https://glycemicwise.com/foods/oil-palm/
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.