Cauliflower Glycemic Index (GI) - Is It High or Low?

by Victoria Mazmanyan | Last updated on August 21, 2024

Medically reviewed by Ani Harutyunyan

Like most cruciferous vegetables, cauliflower is rich in dietary fiber and low in sugars. Because of this, cauliflower has a low glycemic index.

The glycemic index of cauliflower is estimated to be around 15 to 30. However, an exact number cannot be found in peer-reviewed publications or glycemic index tables (1).

Moreover, a study mentioned that cauliflower's GI is equal to 10. However, this is just an approximate value, as the study does not mention any references to it (5).

Multiple studies have associated a higher intake of cruciferous vegetables, such as cauliflower, with a decreased risk of developing type 2 diabetes (2, 3).

By contrast, one study has concluded that high consumption of cruciferous vegetables can be correlated with a moderately higher risk of type 2 diabetes (4). This is due to a compound called glucosinolate, which cruciferous vegetables are rich in.

Overall, cauliflower is a low-glycemic food with beneficial antidiabetic effects when consumed, like all things, in moderation.