Cantaloupe: Nutrients, What Research Shows and Safety
What cantaloupe (Cucumis melo) contains by USDA data, what research does and does not show, and the food-safety and potassium points worth knowing.
Content last updated . This page has not been medically reviewed.
Cantaloupe is the sweet, orange-fleshed fruit of Cucumis melo, a plant in the gourd family (Cucurbitaceae). The soft flesh is eaten; the netted rind and the seeds are not. People eat it for its vitamin C, its color and its juicy sweetness. This page keeps the food apart from supplements and from hype, and says plainly where the evidence is thin.
Read this first
- The biggest practical safety point is food poisoning from the rind. Whole cantaloupes have caused large Listeria and Salmonella outbreaks. Scrub the rind and keep cut melon cold. [6][7][8]
- Pregnant people, older adults and people with weak immune systems are at higher risk from Listeria. [6]
- People told to limit potassium (for example with kidney disease) should ask a clinician or kidney dietitian about melon. One cup of cubes has 427 mg of potassium by USDA data. [1][9]
- A food reaction with trouble breathing or swelling of the face or throat is an emergency: call 911.
- Evidence summary: cantaloupe is a good source of vitamin C. There is no good trial showing that eating it prevents or treats a disease.
What is in it (USDA values)
| Nutrient | Per 100 g | Per serving: 1 cup of cubes (160 g) | % Daily Value per serving |
|---|---|---|---|
| Energy | 34 kcal | 54 kcal | - |
| Fiber | 0.9 g | 1.4 g | 5% |
| Total sugars | 7.86 g | 12.6 g | - |
| Vitamin C | 36.7 mg | 58.7 mg | 65% |
| Vitamin A (RAE) | 169 mcg | 270 mcg | 30% |
| Beta-carotene | 2,020 mcg | 3,232 mcg | - |
| Potassium | 267 mg | 427 mg | 9% |
| Folate (DFE) | 21 mcg | 33.6 mcg | 8% |
| Copper | 0.04 mg | 0.06 mg | 7% |
| Vitamin B6 | 0.07 mg | 0.11 mg | 7% |
| Magnesium | 12 mg | 19 mg | 5% |
| Vitamin K | 2.5 mcg | 4 mcg | 3% |
USDA FoodData Central item 169092, "Melons, cantaloupe, raw" [1]. About 90 percent of the fruit is water. % Daily Value uses the FDA 2016 Daily Values; values vary with variety, ripeness and storage.
The orange color comes from carotenoids, mainly beta-carotene, which USDA measures in this fruit. [1] MedlinePlus lists cantaloupe among the fruits with the most vitamin C. [2] We did not read a human trial that links cantaloupe carotenoids to a health result. Lab work on melon extracts is described below.
What research says
| Health goal | What the sources found | Strength of evidence | What was studied |
|---|---|---|---|
| Preventing vitamin C deficiency (scurvy) | Vitamin C is needed for collagen and healing, the body cannot store it, and severe lack causes scurvy. Cantaloupe is a high source. [2] | Established (essential nutrient) | Nutrient role; whole fruit as a source |
| Colds | Regular vitamin C did not lower the chance of catching a cold in the general public (risk ratio 0.97); it did in people under heavy short-term physical stress such as marathon runners. [3] | No good evidence of benefit for the general public | Vitamin C supplements, not melon |
| Heart disease and early death | In a 2017 meta-analysis of 95 follow-up studies, each 200 g a day of fruit and vegetables combined went with 8 percent lower coronary heart disease risk and 10 percent lower all-cause death risk. [4] | Promising but limited (observational, not about cantaloupe alone) | Fruit and vegetables combined, adults |
| Cancer | The same analysis found a small association for total cancer (relative risk 0.97 per 200 g a day). [4] A 2024 scoping review found melon extracts acted on cancer cells in dishes and animals. [5] | Lab or animal only for melon; small association for produce overall | Extracts in cells and animals; population studies |
| Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory claims | Vitamin C is an antioxidant by definition [2]; we found no trial showing eating cantaloupe changes disease. | Insufficient evidence | Not tested as a food in sources we read |
| Hydration | USDA lists it as about 90 percent water. [1] No trial found. | Insufficient evidence | Content figure only |
Eaten as food vs taken as a supplement or extract. The vitamin C and cold trials used supplements. [3] The cancer findings used melon extracts in the lab. [5] The produce-and-health results are from people eating fruit and vegetables in general, and association is not proof of cause. [4] Do not read any of these as evidence that a cantaloupe treats an illness.
How much is a normal serving
USDA's household portions for raw cantaloupe are 1 cup of cubes (160 g), 1 cup of balls (177 g), 1 cup diced (156 g) and 1 large wedge (1/8 of a large melon, 102 g). [1] This is information, not a prescription. We could not read the MyPlate or Dietary Guidelines pages for an official daily fruit figure, so none is given here. Juice has less fiber than whole fruit; we did not find a source on cantaloupe juice. Vitamin C falls with cooking, long storage and light, per MedlinePlus. [2]Safety, allergy and medicines
- Listeria (2011, USA): whole cantaloupes from one farm caused 147 illnesses in 28 states and 33 deaths; most ill people were over 60, and seven illnesses were linked to pregnancy, with one miscarriage. [6]
- Salmonella (2023, Canada): Malichita and Rudy brand cantaloupes caused 190 confirmed cases, 68 hospital stays and 9 deaths. The agency says to throw out recalled fruit, clean surfaces it touched, and not to cook for others if you have a stomach infection. [7]
- High-risk groups: CDC advised older adults, people with weakened immune systems and pregnant women not to eat the affected cantaloupes. [6] Pregnancy advice for foods generally: see the related pages.
- Potassium and kidney disease: MedlinePlus says people with chronic kidney disease may be unable to clear extra potassium and may need a special diet; it does not name cantaloupe. [9] USDA gives 427 mg per cup of cubes. [1] A kidney dietitian can say how much is right for you.
- Medicines: MedlinePlus notes some medicines raise blood potassium; it does not name which ones, so ask a pharmacist if you take blood pressure or heart medicines. [9] We found no source we could read about cantaloupe and other medicine interactions: Proper evidence not found in the sources we read.
- Allergy: allergens such as profilin have been identified in melon in laboratory work. [10] We did not read a source on how common true cantaloupe allergy is, or on links with pollen or latex allergy. Itching of the mouth after melon is a reason to speak to a clinician; trouble breathing or swelling of the face or throat means call 911.
- Sugar: a cup has about 12.6 g of natural sugars [1]; people managing diabetes can ask their care team about fruit portions.
Choosing, storing and food safety
- Wash the whole melon under running water and scrub the rind with a clean produce brush before cutting; do not use soap or detergent. [8]
- Dry it, and refrigerate cut or packaged melon; keep perishable produce at 40 F (4 C) or colder. [8]
- Throw away melon that looks rotten, and cut away bruised parts. [8]
- Check for recall notices for the brand you buy. [7]
Related pages
Health connections for Cantaloupe
What research links to eating or drinking this food, and how strong the evidence is. Many studies are observational or use juice, powder, oil or extracts rather than the food as eaten; each card says which.
Vitamin C intake and scurvy prevention
Deficiency linkCantaloupe is listed by MedlinePlus among fruits with the highest vitamin C content, and USDA measures 36.7 mg per 100 g. Severe lack of vitamin C causes scurvy.
Supplements: As a food it helps meet the need; scurvy is rare and mainly affects older, malnourished adults per MedlinePlus.
Fruit and vegetable intake and long-term health
Preliminary or mixedIn pooled studies that followed people over time, more fruit and vegetables combined went with lower risk of heart disease and early death. These studies are observational and are not about cantaloupe alone.
Supplements: Observational association is not proof that any one fruit prevents disease.
Vitamin C and the common cold
Not enough evidenceCochrane found regular vitamin C did not lower the chance of catching a cold in the general public (risk ratio 0.97), with a clear effect only in people under heavy short-term physical stress.
Supplements: No good evidence that eating cantaloupe prevents colds.
Beta-carotene and vitamin A content
Not enough evidenceUSDA lists 2,020 micrograms of beta-carotene and 169 micrograms of vitamin A (RAE) per 100 g. We did not read a trial of cantaloupe carotenoids and a health outcome in people.
Supplements: Content is measured; health benefit from cantaloupe carotenoids is not verified in sources we read.
Melon extracts and cancer cells
Lab or animal research onlyA 2024 scoping review of 14 papers found Cucumis melo extracts acted against several cancer cell types in lab dishes and animals. It does not show that eating cantaloupe prevents or treats cancer.
Supplements: Extracts in the lab are not the same as eating the fruit.
Water content and hydration
Not enough evidenceUSDA lists cantaloupe as about 90 percent water. We found no trial linking eating it to hydration status.
Supplements: Proper evidence not found in the sources we read.
Connected topics
Open a group to see how each topic connects and how strong the evidence is.
Body systems (2)
- Digestive SystemDocumented risk
Whole cantaloupes have caused Listeria and Salmonella outbreaks; washing the rind and chilling cut fruit are the official advice.
- Kidney & UrinaryDocumented risk
With chronic kidney disease potassium may need limiting; cantaloupe has 427 mg per cup of cubes (USDA).
Body parts (2)
Root causes (2)
- Nutrient DeficiencyDeficiency link
A good source of vitamin C, whose severe lack causes scurvy; scurvy is rare today.
- Medication Side EffectsDocumented risk
MedlinePlus says some medicines raise potassium, so potassium-rich foods can matter for those users; ask a pharmacist.
Habits (1)
- Balanced NutritionPreliminary or mixed
Part of a fruit and vegetable pattern linked in observational studies to lower risk of heart disease and early death; not proof for cantaloupe alone.
Conditions & symptoms (4)
- ListeriosisDocumented risk
Whole cantaloupes caused the 2011 US outbreak (147 illnesses, 33 deaths).
- Salmonella InfectionsDocumented risk
A 2023 outbreak in Canada was linked to cantaloupes (190 cases, 9 deaths).
- ScurvyDeficiency link
Severe vitamin C lack causes scurvy; cantaloupe is a vitamin C source.
- HyperkalemiaDocumented risk
Potassium-rich foods matter when kidneys cannot clear potassium; cantaloupe has 427 mg per cup (USDA).
Documented risks and interactions (4)
- Food poisoning (Listeria and Salmonella) linked to cantaloupe. Whole cantaloupes have been tied to large outbreaks. The 2011 US Listeria outbreak caused 147 illnesses and 33 deaths. A 2023 Salmonella outbreak in Canada (Malichita and Rudy brands) caused 190 cases, 68 hospital stays and 9 deaths.
- Listeria in pregnancy, older age and weak immunity. In the 2011 outbreak most ill people were over 60 and seven illnesses were pregnancy related, with one miscarriage. CDC advised high-risk groups not to eat the affected cantaloupes.
- Potassium and kidney disease or certain medicines. USDA lists 267 mg potassium per 100 g (427 mg in 1 cup of cubes). MedlinePlus says that with chronic kidney disease the kidneys may not clear extra potassium, so some people need a lower-potassium diet, and that some medicines raise potassium.
- Melon allergy. Allergens such as profilin have been identified in melon in laboratory work. Reactions are possible; for trouble breathing or swelling of the face or throat call 911.
Frequently asked questions
Is cantaloupe good for you?
It is a good source of vitamin C and provides vitamin A from carotenoids, with little fiber. [1][2] Fruit and vegetables as a group are linked in observational studies to lower heart disease and death risk, but that is not proof for cantaloupe alone. [4]
Does cantaloupe prevent colds?
No good evidence supports that. Cochrane found regular vitamin C did not lower cold risk in the general public, and those trials used supplements. [3]
Why has cantaloupe been linked to food poisoning?
Whole cantaloupes have been behind Listeria and Salmonella outbreaks, so washing and scrubbing the rind and chilling cut fruit matter. [6][7][8]
Is cantaloupe high in potassium, and who should watch it?
One cup of cubes has 427 mg of potassium, about 9 percent of the Daily Value. [1] People with kidney disease or on medicines that raise potassium should ask a clinician. [9]
Does cantaloupe fight cancer?
Not proven. Melon extracts affected cancer cells in lab and animal studies, which does not show an effect from eating the fruit. [5]
References
- USDA FoodData Central. Melons, cantaloupe, raw (SR Legacy, FDC 169092). April 2018 release. Read 2026-10-23.
- MedlinePlus. Vitamin C. Read 2026-10-23.
- Hemila H, Chalker E. Vitamin C for preventing and treating the common cold. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2013. PMID 23440782. Abstract read 2026-10-23.
- Aune D et al. Fruit and vegetable intake and the risk of cardiovascular disease, total cancer and all-cause mortality. Int J Epidemiol 2017. PMID 28338764. Abstract read 2026-10-23.
- Raja Soh RSS et al. A Scoping Review on Cucumis melo and Its Anti-Cancer Properties. Malays J Med Sci 2024. PMID 39247112. Abstract read 2026-10-23.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 2011 Outbreak of Listeria Infections Linked to Whole Cantaloupes from Jensen Farms, Colorado. Archived outbreak page. Read 2026-10-23.
- Public Health Agency of Canada. Outbreak of Salmonella infections linked to Malichita and Rudy brand cantaloupes. Final update 29 January 2024. Read 2026-10-23.
- US Food and Drug Administration. Selecting and Serving Produce Safely. Read 2026-10-23.
- MedlinePlus. Potassium. Read 2026-10-23.
- Shin YJ et al. Profilin isoallergens, major but not immunodominant, from Korean melon. World Allergy Organ J 2026. PMID 41970603. Abstract read 2026-10-23.