Melons Fructose Ranking: Lowest to Highest

Lowest Fructose Melons

Highest Fructose Melons

#15cantaloupe, raw2.2 g

#14cantaloupe, raw2.3 g

#13melons, cantaloupe, raw2.4 g

#12cantaloupe, raw2.9 g

#11melons, honeydew, raw3.0 g

#10cantaloupe, raw, yes - sugar, nf0009i73.0 g

#9cantaloupe, raw, yes - sugar, nf0009h83.0 g

#8watermelon, seedless, flesh only, raw3.2 g

#7watermelon, raw3.4 g

#6melons, honeydew, flesh only, raw3.4 g

Category Average: 2.5 g/100g

The average across 15 Melons foods with lab-measured data. Foods below this average are better-than-typical choices within this category.

How to Use This Ranking

The purine ranking is sorted from lowest to highest. Rank #1 is the lowest-purine food in the category. Foods in the top half (above median) should be consumed with more awareness of portion and frequency. The difference between adjacent ranks varies: in some categories, rank #5 and #10 might be only 10 mg apart; in others, the gap can be 100+ mg. Always check the actual milligram value, not just the position. Rankings do not account for fructose or alcohol — use individual food pages for a complete risk assessment.

ACR 2020 Guideline Context

The American College of Rheumatology recommends that gout patients focus on purine awareness rather than complete food group elimination. Within any category, there is a wide purine range. The goal is to shift toward lower-purine choices within categories you already eat, rather than eliminating entire food groups. This ranking helps you identify which specific items to prioritize and which to limit.

Japanese guidelines recommend under 400 mg of total dietary purines per day. Using this ranking, you can estimate how much of budget each food uses per typical serving.

How This Comparison Is Built

Every food in this comparison has been evaluated using a three-factor risk engine that independently assesses purine content, fructose level, and alcohol presence. Purine values come from two primary references — the USDA+ODS-NIH PURINE DATABASE Release 2 (March 2025) and Kaneko et al. (Biol Pharm Bull 37(5):709-721, 2014, PMID: 24553148). Fructose data is sourced from USDA SR28 Food Composition Tables. The verdict system follows ACR 2020 guideline thresholds: Safe (purine <50 mg, fructose <2g, no alcohol), Moderate (purine 50-150 mg or fructose 2-5g), Avoid (purine >150 mg, fructose >5g, or alcohol present). Data quality is labeled T1 (lab-measured), T2 (measured + consensus), or T3 (category estimate) on each food's detail page.

This comparison is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Individual tolerance to purines and fructose varies. Consult a healthcare professional for personalized dietary guidance. Last reviewed: 2026-09-03.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which melons are lowest in fructose?

Among 15 melons with measured fructose in our database, the lowest-fructose options include watermelon, seedless, rind only, raw at 1.5 g/100g and cantaloupe, raw, yes - sugar, nf000991 at 1.7 g/100g. Melons are hydrating and low in purines; the fructose values vary by type and ripeness.

Is watermelon bad for gout?

Watermelon is low in purines but higher in fructose than most other fruits — and it is easy to overeat by the bowl in summer. A normal serving is fine for most people with gout; the risk comes from very large portions and from drinking watermelon juice. The ranking above shows where it sits relative to other melons.

Are melons good for gout?

Melons are generally good for gout: near-zero purines, high water content (which supports hydration and urate excretion), and moderate fructose in reasonable portions. Cantaloupe and honeydew are also rich in potassium and vitamin C. The main caution is portion size, especially for watermelon in summer.

Melons Ranked by Fructose Content