Cantaloupes contain carotenoids, the yellow, orange and sometimes reddish pigment synthesized by plants. According to Linus Pauling Institute, the increased intake of carotenoids from fruits, such as cantaloupes, can decrease a patient’s risk for the development of cardiovascular diseases and certain types of cancer. Furthermore, two forms of carotenoid -- lutein and zeaxanthin -- are much needed for the proper functioning and vision of the eyes. In fact, as mentioned by Linus Pauling Institute, deficiency in lutein and zeaxanthin may increase a patient’s risk for the development of age-related macular degeneration -- the most common cause of blindness -- and cataract, the clouding of the lens of the eye.