Is Lemon Water Good for You? Verywell Fit’jelly for eating content is for informational and educational purposes only. Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Verywell Fit articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and nutrition and exercise healthcare professionals.
Medical Reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Mia Syn, MS, RDN is a registered dietitian nutritionist with a master of science in human nutrition. She is also the host of Good Food Friday on ABC News 4. Jelly is relatively high in sugar and carbohydrates and offers little in the way of vitamins and minerals. That said, it is usually consumed in such small amounts that it isn’t likely to have a substantial impact on your diet. 2 calories, 0g of protein, 14g of carbohydrate, and 0g of fat.
Jelly isn’t rich in nutrients, but it does supply trace amounts of potassium, choline, and calcium. The following nutrition information is provided by the USDA for any flavor of jelly. Most of the calories in jelly come from carbohydrates. Of the 14 grams of carbs in jelly, 10. 2 grams are in the form of sugar. It contains almost no fiber at 0. One study found that jelly made with sugar has a 58.
4 GI rating, while jelly made with fructose has a lower GI rating, somewhere between 29. Jelly provides an insignificant amount of protein at roughly 0. While it is made from fruit juice which may provide certain micronutrients, jelly itself does not supply any significant vitamins or minerals. A one-tablespoon serving of jelly contains 53. Use it instead of peanut butter on your toast and you can save around 40 calories per tablespoon. You’ll also save roughly 8 grams of fat. Fruit jelly has not been widely studied.
That said, some research suggests that consuming this food may provide a couple of health benefits. Jelly adds carbohydrates to your diet and carbs are the body’s preferred energy source. This energy helps support basic bodily functions as well as providing energy for additional movements, such as exercise and other physical activities. In one study, 16 subjects were given a serving of mulberry fruit jelly daily for seven days. This jelly was consumed in conjunction with a high-fat meal.
Researchers also noted that the subjects had improved insulin sensitivity, another cardiometabolic risk factor. They credited the anthocyanin in the mulberries for this benefit due, in part, to its antioxidant properties. If the jelly is made with fructose, your blood sugar level won’t spike as much since fructose has a low glycemic index. This helps keep your blood sugar stable while enjoying a meal that contains this fruity spread. One double-blind study involved subjects consuming yogurt drinks sweetened with either fruit jelly or sugar. The fruit jelly yogurt drink reduced the participants’ blood glucose response, and the amount of the reduction increased as the amount of fruit jelly also increased. Grape jelly is made with Concord grapes.
These dark purple grapes have skins and seeds that contain polyphenols—plant-based chemicals that have been associated with a wide range of health benefits, including a decreased risk of heart disease. Another study added that, while the juice may provide some benefit, the impact is dose-dependent. While jelly is typically low in nutrients, several researchers are trying to find ways to increase its nutritional value. Should some of these solutions be implemented in the future, this could increase the nutrients consumed when eating jelly. Since jelly is typically consumed in such small amounts, and since it provides no substantial vitamins or minerals at this time, this food is not likely to benefit your health in a significant way.