(RxWiki News) Eating a diet rich in fruit and vegetables can give your skin a healthier glow than the sun, according to a study from The University of Nottingham.
The study showed that carrots and tomatoes in particular lend a certain vibrancy to munchers.
Dr. Ian Stephen and his team of researchers found that participants who eat more portions of fruits and vegetables every day have a more golden skin tone thanks to the foods' rich abundance of carotenoids (antioxidants that help soak up harmful compounds).
People tend to prefer the more yellow, vibrant color of skin resulting from eating carotenoids as opposed to suntans, Stephen said. The study also found Africans prefer more yellow/golden skin tones, according to the study.
Professor David Perrett said this is something humans have in common with certain animal species. Male birds with bright beaks and feathers are more attractive to females as they appear healthier.
Dr. Ian Stephen, from the School of Psychology, led the study as part of his PhD requirements. He said eating fruits and vegetables is more effective for improved skin color than suntans, even.
"While I whole-heartedly advocate the eating of healthy fruits and vegetables, and while they may contribute to one's skin coloring if enough is eaten, it is still very important that a person gets enough sun on a regular basis," said Dr. Mark Bans, a Chiropractic Physician who is also schooled in alternative mind-body-emotions-energy techniques. "Without proper sun exposure, one can have decreased levels of Vitamin D (which is increasingly being shown to be vital towards the prevention of many other types of cancer in addition to it's beneficial effects on bone health),seasonal affective disorder (SAD), etc."
