Home Ingredients Cantaloupe Fruit Powder (SOD B Extramel®)
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Cantaloupe Fruit Powder (SOD B Extramel®)

Cucumis melo
Evidence Level
Moderate
2 Clinical Trials
5 Documented Benefits
3/5 Evidence Score

Cantaloupe fruit powder used in supplements is most often SOD B Extramel® or similar concentrates derived from a specific melon (Cucumis melo) cultivar selected for its naturally high superoxide dismutase (SOD) content. The fresh melon juice is concentrated and combined with a gliadin-based coating that protects the SOD enzyme from gastric breakdown, allowing it to act in the upper GI tract and trigger systemic antioxidant signaling. A small pilot randomized controlled trial of Extramel at 10 mg/day (≈140 IU SOD) for 4 weeks (Milesi 2009) reported improvements in perceived stress and fatigue, with sleep-related items captured within the fatigue questionnaire; the remaining evidence is mechanistic and preclinical.

Studied Dose 10 mg/day SOD B Extramel® (≈140 IU SOD) once daily; some protocols up to 40 mg/day.
Active Compound Concentrated Cucumis melo juice rich in superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, and natural antioxidants; standardized to ~140 IU SOD per 10 mg, typically gliadin-coated.

Benefits

Helps support a balanced stress response

In a single small, manufacturer-sponsored pilot RCT (Milesi 2009, n=70 healthy adults, 10 mg/day for 4 weeks), daily intake was associated with reduced perceived stress and fatigue symptoms versus placebo; this early result supports a calmer day-to-day experience but has not yet been replicated in larger independent trials.

Supported by Trial 1

Promotes energy and reduced fatigue

Helps reduce signs and symptoms of physical and mental fatigue, including weariness and difficulty concentrating, contributing to improved daily energy.

Supported by Trial 1

Supports endogenous antioxidant defense

Encourages upregulation of the body's own antioxidant enzymes—including superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase—helping the body manage oxidative stress more effectively.

Supported by Trial 2

Helps maintain quality of sleep

Within the pilot stress/fatigue RCT, the physical-fatigue dimension included sleep-related items (such as sleep troubles) that improved versus placebo; this reflects a sleep-fatigue sub-measure rather than a dedicated sleep study, so support for restorative rest remains preliminary.

Supported by Trial 1

Convenient low-dose antioxidant

Delivers the clinically studied 10 mg/day dose used in the stress/fatigue pilot RCT, fitting easily into stress, energy, and general wellness formulas alongside other actives.

Supported by Trial 1, Trial 2

Mechanism of action

1

Gastroprotected SOD delivery

The gliadin coating protects native melon SOD from gastric inactivation, allowing the enzyme to reach the upper gastrointestinal tract where it can interact with epithelial cells and trigger downstream signaling.

2

Endogenous antioxidant induction

Oral SOD B Extramel has been shown in preclinical and human studies to upregulate expression and activity of endogenous antioxidant enzymes such as SOD, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase.

3

HPA-axis and cortisol modulation

By reducing systemic oxidative stress, melon SOD concentrate may help blunt cortisol responses and support a more balanced HPA-axis tone during chronic stress.

4

Mitochondrial protection

Improved superoxide neutralization helps preserve mitochondrial membrane potential and ATP production, supporting cellular energy availability.

Clinical trials

1
Extramel® melon concentrate for stress and fatigue

Pilot double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 10 mg Extramel (140 IU SOD) daily for 4 weeks

n=70 healthy adults aged 30–55 with daily stress and fatigue

Supplementation produced significant improvements over placebo in measures of perceived stress and fatigue, including performance, physical (pain, sleep troubles), cognitive (concentration, weariness), and behavioural (attitude, irritability) dimensions, supporting a benefit for everyday stress and fatigue symptoms.

2
SOD-rich melon and oxidative stress

Background human and preclinical studies of melon-derived SOD on antioxidant enzyme activity

Healthy adults and animal models

Oral melon SOD concentrate has been associated with increased activity of endogenous antioxidant enzymes (SOD, catalase, glutathione peroxidase), supporting its mechanism as an inducer of the body's own antioxidant defenses rather than acting solely as a direct enzyme substitute.

Side effects and drug interactions

Common Potential side effects

Generally well tolerated at studied doses; mild GI upset is rare.
Contains wheat gliadin coating in some formulations—not suitable for celiac or wheat allergy.
Possible allergic reaction in individuals sensitive to melon or related cucurbits.
May cause mild flushing or warmth in sensitive individuals.
Headache occasionally reported during early supplementation.

Important Drug interactions

No clinically significant drug interactions have been documented at studied doses.
Sedative medications: theoretical additive effects on calming or fatigue-reducing endpoints.
Antioxidant chemotherapy: discuss high-dose antioxidants with oncology providers.
Antihypertensives: monitor blood pressure in individuals already on therapy.

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Frequently asked questions about Cantaloupe Fruit Powder (SOD B Extramel®)

What is Cantaloupe Fruit Powder?

Cantaloupe fruit powder used in supplements is most often SOD B Extramel® or similar concentrates derived from a specific melon (Cucumis melo) cultivar selected for its naturally high superoxide dismutase (SOD) content.

What is Cantaloupe Fruit Powder used for?

Cantaloupe Fruit Powder is researched primarily for Antioxidant, Stress & Anxiety, and Energy. In a single small, manufacturer-sponsored pilot RCT (Milesi 2009, n=70 healthy adults, 10 mg/day for 4 weeks), daily intake was associated with reduced perceived stress and fatigue symptoms versus placebo; this early result supports a calme…

What is the recommended dosage of Cantaloupe Fruit Powder?

The clinically studied dose is 10 mg/day SOD B Extramel® (≈140 IU SOD) once daily; some protocols up to 40 mg/day. Always follow the product label and check with a healthcare provider for personal advice.

Is Cantaloupe Fruit Powder safe, and does it have side effects?

For most healthy adults, Cantaloupe Fruit Powder is well tolerated at studied doses. Reported effects can include: Generally well tolerated at studied doses; mild GI upset is rare. Contains wheat gliadin coating in some formulations—not suitable for celiac or wheat allergy. It may also interact with some medications. Cantaloupe Fruit Powder is not right for everyone, so check with a healthcare provider first if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have a medical condition, or take prescription medication.

Does Cantaloupe Fruit Powder interact with any medications?

Possible interactions include: No clinically significant drug interactions have been documented at studied doses. Sedative medications: theoretical additive effects on calming or fatigue-reducing endpoints. If you take prescription medication, check with a pharmacist or doctor before using it.

How strong is the scientific evidence for Cantaloupe Fruit Powder?

NutraSmarts rates the evidence for Cantaloupe Fruit Powder as Moderate (3 out of 5). It is backed by 2 clinical trials and 3 cited references summarized on this page. A higher rating reflects more, larger, and better-designed human studies.

References(3 citations)

Evidence ratings on NutraSmarts are based on the totality of human clinical research, with emphasis on randomized controlled trials, meta-analyses, and systematic reviews. The references below directly support claims made throughout this page.

  1. Milesi MA, Lacan D, Brosse H, Desor D, Notin C. Effect of an oral supplementation with a proprietary melon juice concentrate (Extramel) on stress and fatigue in healthy people: a pilot, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Nutr J. 2009;8:40. doi: 10.1186/1475-2891-8-40.PubMedUsed to support: Pivotal pilot RCT in 70 healthy adults showing 10 mg/day Extramel melon concentrate (140 IU SOD) for 4 weeks produced significant improvements over placebo in perceived stress and fatigue across performance, physical, cognitive, and behavioural dimensions.
  2. Carillon J, Rouanet JM, Cristol JP, Brion R. Superoxide dismutase administration, a potential therapy against oxidative stress related diseases: several routes of supplementation and proposal of an original mechanism of action. Pharm Res. 2013;30(11):2718-28. doi: 10.1007/s11095-013-1113-5.PubMedUsed to support: Mechanistic review of orally administered SOD (including melon-derived Extramel) proposing that benefits arise from induction of endogenous antioxidant enzymes rather than direct enzyme replacement.
  3. Nakajima S, Ohsawa I, Nagata K, Ohta S, Ohno M, Ijichi T, et al. Oral supplementation with melon superoxide dismutase extract promotes antioxidant defences in the brain and prevents stress-induced impairment of spatial memory. Behav Brain Res. 2009;200(1):15-21.PubMedUsed to support: Preclinical study showing oral melon SOD extract enhanced antioxidant defences in the brain and prevented stress-induced spatial-memory deficits, providing mechanistic context for stress and cognitive endpoints in human Extramel trials.