What the evidence says. Several controlled trials; effects real but modest or context-dependent.
Nutrition per serving 1 medium (552 g, edible)
Water498 g90%
Sugars43.6 g8%
Fibre5 g1%
Protein4.4 g1%
Fat1.1 g0%
What's in one serving, by weight — average composition (USDA).One serving as % of the adult daily requirement (FDA Daily Values). The bold outer ring = 100% of a day's needs.
Cantaloupe Melon (Cucumis melo var. cantalupensis) is a fruit used for provitamin a (beta-carotene) source supporting vision and skin/epithelial health. NutriDex grades the human evidence as Moderate. Cantaloupe is a nutrient-dense, low-calorie fruit that is roughly 90% water and an excellent source of provitamin A beta-carotene and vitamin C, with meaningful potassium and folate. Direct clinical trials on cantaloupe itself are sparse; most human evidence is indirect, derived from its constituent nutrients and from broad fruit-intake cohorts. Large dose-response meta-analyses of prospective cohorts show that higher fruit and vegetable intake is associated with lower all-cause and cardiovascular mortality (about 5% lower all-cause risk per added daily serving, plateauing near five servings). Trials of increased potassium intake reduce blood pressure in people with hypertension and are linked to roughly 24% lower stroke risk, and cantaloupe's beta-carotene is well-absorbed (bioavailability comparable to carrots). A small placebo-controlled pilot of a melon SOD concentrate (Extramel) reported improved perceived stress and fatigue, but it tested a proprietary supplement, not the whole fruit, and was industry-funded. Importantly, benefits attach to beta-carotene consumed as food; high-dose beta-carotene supplements increased lung cancer and mortality in smokers, so whole-fruit intake should not be extrapolated to pills.
Purported Benefits
✓Provitamin A (beta-carotene) source supporting vision and skin/epithelial health
✓High vitamin C contributing to antioxidant defense and collagen synthesis
✓Potassium intake associated with lower blood pressure and stroke risk
✓High water content (~90%) aiding hydration and satiety with low energy density
✓Part of higher fruit intake linked to lower all-cause and cardiovascular mortality
✓Melon-derived superoxide dismutase (SOD) concentrate studied for perceived stress/fatigue (proprietary supplement, not whole fruit)
Dosing & Compounds
Typical Dose
1 cup diced (~160 g) to half a medium melon; ~150-300 g typical serving
Active Compounds
Carotenoids (beta-carotene, plus beta-apo-carotenals)Vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid)Potassium (electrolyte mineral)Folate (vitamin B9)Superoxide dismutase (antioxidant metalloenzyme, concentrated in flesh)Phenolic acids (caffeic, chlorogenic, ferulic acid)Cucurbitacins (bitter triterpenoids, trace)Soluble and insoluble dietary fiber (pectin, cellulose)
Safety & Cautions
⚠
Generally very safe as a food. Cantaloupe rind is a recognized vehicle for Listeria, Salmonella, and other pathogens (notably the 2011 US listeriosis outbreak); wash whole melons, refrigerate cut fruit promptly, and pregnant or immunocompromised people should take extra care. Its potassium content warrants moderation in advanced chronic kidney disease or for people on potassium-sparing diuretics, ACE inhibitors, or ARBs. The natural sugar content is relevant for diabetes portion control. Oral allergy syndrome (ragweed/melon cross-reactivity) and rare latex-fruit allergy can occur. Whole-food beta-carotene is not equivalent to high-dose supplements, which are harmful in smokers. Educational only — always check with your doctor or pharmacist before combining Cantaloupe Melon with any medicine.
Cantaloupe Melon is most often taken for Provitamin A (beta-carotene) source supporting vision and skin/epithelial health, High vitamin C contributing to antioxidant defense and collagen synthesis, Potassium intake associated with lower blood pressure and stroke risk, High water content (~90%) aiding hydration and satiety with low energy density. Beta-carotene-rich, hydrating summer melon
Does Cantaloupe Melon work — what does the evidence say?
Moderate evidence. Several controlled trials; effects real but modest or context-dependent. Cantaloupe is a nutrient-dense, low-calorie fruit that is roughly 90% water and an excellent source of provitamin A beta-carotene and vitamin C, with meaningful potassium and folate. Direct clinical trials on cantaloupe itself are sparse; most human evidence is indirect, derived from its constituent nutrients and from broad fruit-intake cohorts. Large dose-response meta-analyses of prospective cohorts show that higher fruit and vegetable intake is associated with lower all-cause and cardiovascular mortality (about 5% lower all-cause risk per added daily serving, plateauing near five servings). Trials of increased potassium intake reduce blood pressure in people with hypertension and are linked to roughly 24% lower stroke risk, and cantaloupe's beta-carotene is well-absorbed (bioavailability comparable to carrots). A small placebo-controlled pilot of a melon SOD concentrate (Extramel) reported improved perceived stress and fatigue, but it tested a proprietary supplement, not the whole fruit, and was industry-funded. Importantly, benefits attach to beta-carotene consumed as food; high-dose beta-carotene supplements increased lung cancer and mortality in smokers, so whole-fruit intake should not be extrapolated to pills.
What is the typical dose of Cantaloupe Melon?
1 cup diced (~160 g) to half a medium melon; ~150-300 g typical serving
Is Cantaloupe Melon safe? Any cautions or side effects?
Generally very safe as a food. Cantaloupe rind is a recognized vehicle for Listeria, Salmonella, and other pathogens (notably the 2011 US listeriosis outbreak); wash whole melons, refrigerate cut fruit promptly, and pregnant or immunocompromised people should take extra care. Its potassium content warrants moderation in advanced chronic kidney disease or for people on potassium-sparing diuretics, ACE inhibitors, or ARBs. The natural sugar content is relevant for diabetes portion control. Oral allergy syndrome (ragweed/melon cross-reactivity) and rare latex-fruit allergy can occur. Whole-food beta-carotene is not equivalent to high-dose supplements, which are harmful in smokers.
How many studies support Cantaloupe Melon?
NutriDex cites 9 sources for Cantaloupe Melon, graded "Moderate".
Cite this page
APA
Peh, D. (2026). Cantaloupe Melon (Cucumis melo var. cantalupensis): Benefits, Dosage, Side Effects & Evidence. NutriDex — The Supplement Research Compendium. Retrieved 16 Sept 2026, from https://nutridex.info/s/cantaloupe-melon
BibTeX
@misc{nutridex_cantaloupe_melon,
author = {Peh, Daryl},
title = {Cantaloupe Melon (Cucumis melo var. cantalupensis): Benefits, Dosage, Side Effects \& Evidence},
year = {2026},
howpublished = {NutriDex --- The Supplement Research Compendium},
url = {https://nutridex.info/s/cantaloupe-melon},
note = {Reviewed by Dr Daryl Peh, MBBS Singapore, MMed FM. Accessed 2026-09-16}
}
For medical claims, citing the underlying primary studies linked above is preferred. NutriDex is an educational reference, not medical advice.