Basil, fresh
Last updated 3 Nov 2026
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Basil is a leafy herb used to flavour food. The figures here describe fresh basil, rather than dried basil. It provides vitamins and minerals, including vitamin A, vitamin C, calcium and iron. Per 100g, it contains 660µg of vitamin A (retinol equivalent), 26mg of vitamin C, 250mg of calcium and 5.5mg of iron.
Vitamin A supports normal vision and immune function, while vitamin C helps the body absorb iron from plant foods. Calcium contributes to the maintenance of bones and teeth. Basil is generally eaten in small amounts, so its contribution to nutrient intake is usually much lower than the figures given here. Full nutrient figures are in the tables below.
Nutrition per 100g
Nutrient | Per 100g |
|---|---|
Energy | 40 kcal |
Energy | 169 kJ |
Fat | 0.8g |
Carbohydrate | 5.1g |
3.1g | |
Salt | 0.02g |
Alcohol | 0g |
Water | 88g |
Cholesterol | 0mg |
Vitamins and minerals per 100g
Nutrient | Per 100g |
|---|---|
660µg | |
0µg | |
26mg | |
0.08mg | |
0.31mg | |
1.1mg | |
0µg | |
250mg | |
5.5mg | |
11mg | |
37mg | |
300mg | |
Sodium | 9mg |
0.7mg |
Other types of basil
Food | Calories per 100g | Protein per 100g | Fat per 100g | Fibre per 100g |
|---|---|---|---|---|
251 kcal | 14g | 4g | – |
About these figures
Values are per 100g of the food as described (6 samples and literature sources). "Trace" means only a very small amount was found. Nutrients that were not measured are not shown. Salt is calculated from sodium.