TheBUZZ: Eating more fruits and vegetables makes you more attractive?
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING
Eating lots of fruits and veggies may not only improve overall health, but may actually increase perceived attractiveness.
WHAT WE KNOW
Have you shunned the tanning beds because of their link to skin cancer but still want a natural glow? There may be some good news for use-to-be avid tanners! Currently we know that the skin responds best to adequate hydration, a well-balanced diet that includes plenty of fruits and vegetables (they contain antioxidants that help remove free radicals), and exercise.
Specifically yellow-red pigments found in fruits and vegetables, called carotenoids, are associated with changes in skin color. Fruit and vegetable consumption and ingestion of carotenoids have been found to be associated with human skin color (yellowness) in a recent study. This carotenoid-based coloration contributes beneficially to the appearance of health and attractiveness in humans.
HOW DO WE KNOW THIS?
Researchers from the University of St. Andrews found that eating just two additional portions of fruit and vegetables per day was enough to create a noticeable change in skin color within six weeks. At two intervals, three and six weeks, researchers recorded skin-pigment of a group of 35 individuals who were without makeup, self-tanning agents and/or recent intensive UV exposure. At six weeks, changes in fruit and vegetable consumption were significantly correlated with changes in skin redness and yellowness over this period.
Further tests showed that the skin tone of people who ate large quantities of fruit and vegetables on a regular basis was rated as more attractive than that of people who only ate small amounts.*
OUR ADVICE
More inclusive research needs to be conducted on this topic, but it’s perceived attractiveness that could potentially be the key to encouraging Americans to eat more fruits and vegetables!
For now remember that everyday stressors, such as the sun, can produce damaging compounds in your body (known as free radicals). Free radicals can affect all parts of the body, including the skin. How do we minimize their damaging effects—antioxidants! Fruits and vegetables contain antioxidants as well as water; both have been shown to promote healthy skin!
How else can fruits and veggies help?
All of these attributes can lead to more confidence … and confidence is attractive! So be sure to eat your recommended amount of fruits and veggies each day, exercise, and keep up with sufficient hydration!
* Whitehead, R., D. Re, D. Xiao, et al. “You Are What You Eat: Within-Subject Increases in Fruit and Vegetable Consumption Confer Beneficial Skin-Color Changes.” PLoS One (2012), doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0032988
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