Apple Varieties With Less Sugar

During the ripening of apples and other fruits, starches turn into sugar and produce that sweet taste you know and love. The most common apple varieties produced in the United States are Red Delicious, Gala, Golden Delicious, Granny Smith and Fuji apples. While some varieties may taste sweeter than others, they contain about the same amount of sugar per serving.

Sugar Content of Apple Varieties

One cup of sliced Granny Smith apples contains 10.45 grams of sugar, offering the lowest amount among popular varieties. In order of increasing sugar content, next are the Golden Delicious, Gala, Red Delicious and finally Fuji apple providing the highest sugar content of 12.73 grams per cup. A whole apple contains a different amount of sugar than a cup of sliced fruit. For example, while an average cup of apple slices weighs about 109 grams, a whole apple may be between 129 and 260 grams depending on the variety and size.

Concerns About Fruit Sugar

What Is the Percentage of Sugar in Dried Fruits?

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The fructose content in fruit is not the same as that in high fructose corn syrup or sugar in baked goods and sweetened beverages 5. While consuming too many sugar- or corn syrup-sweetened items can contribute to excess calories leading to weight gain, diabetes, metabolic syndrome, high triglyceride levels and overall increased risk for heart disease, it is much more difficult to consume a harmful amount of fructose from fruit. Fruit also provides fiber that slows the absorption of sugar into your bloodstream, keeping you full and energized for longer than you would feel after eating baked goods or processed foods.