Study: Fruits and Veggies Improve Skin Tone

A study done in Scotland has proved that consuming fruits and vegetables changes the yellowness and redness of one’s skin. According to the researchers, the hue changes are associated with increased attractiveness.

The research was carried out on 35 University students aged between 18 and 25. Of the 35 students, all but one was white. At several point over a period of six weeks, the students answered questions pertaining to their fruit and vegetable intake, while the researchers took note of their skin colour.

According to the results of the research, undergraduates, who ate more vegetables and fruits compared with others, experienced an increase in the yellowness and redness of the skin. These changes, the researchers say they attribute to the existence of highly pigmented compounds or carotenoids that are found in plenty in the fruits and vegetables.

The researchers observed through the study that there was an increase of three portions of fruit and vegetable consumption over a six week period. This, they say, is enough to bring out perceptible improvements in terms of health and attractiveness of the facial skin. In the second arm of the study, Ross Whitehead, a researcher at the University of St. Andrews’ school of psychology along with his colleagues showed 24 images of 4 undergraduates after asking them questions about their fruits and vegetables consumption and recording skin hue.

A spokesperson for the American Academy of Dermatology, Dr. Carolyn Jacob, did express scepticism over the notion of yellow and red skin tones being definitely linked to perceivable attractiveness though she agreed to the connection between skin and carotenoids.

Carotenoids are present in a variety of vegetables and fruits even those that are not red or yellow in appearance. For instance, green vegetables are particularly high in carotenoids but the excess of chlorophyll in them masks their appearance. According to the researchers, a woman must consume between 1.5 to 2 cups of fruits per day and between 2 and 2.5 cups of veggies. Men should consume 2 cups of fruits and 2.5 to 3 cups of veggies in a day.