According to the UK Daily Mail, it is possible for us to literally glow with health. And it’s surprisingly easy to achieve – and we all know how to do it!
Is it possible to glow with health? If new research is to be believed, the answer is yes.
Eating at least three portions of fruit and vegetables daily – including carrots, cabbages and kiwi fruit – gives skin a “healthy” radiance akin to a tan after just a few weeks, according to the study.
Psychologists from the University of St Andrews analysed the impact fruit and vegetable consumption had on perception of skin colour.
Pictures were taken of men and women to analyse their skin tone before and after the test period.
Researchers found that increased fruit and vegetable consumption led to a deepening of natural red and yellow skin colouration. They calculated that 2.9 portions of fruit and veg a day over a six-week period are enough to make people look more healthy, while 3.3 portions will boost attractiveness.
In a second project, participants were asked to “judge” the pictures to rate how attractive the faces were. Those with the “healthy glow” were deemed most desirable.
Campaigners struggling to persuade people to eat the recommended five portions of fruit and veg a day could use the findings to promote the idea that such products are not only healthy, but make you more attractive.
“Advertising the results of our work could be persuasive in motivating individuals to eschew the dangers of excess ultraviolet exposure in favour of improving diet, which we show to be a more effective way of improving appearance,” says Dr Ross Whitehead, who led the study. “We found that skin colour associated with fruit and vegetable consumption influences apparent health to a greater extent a tan.”
Carotenoids – the nutrients responsible for the colours in foods, including carrots and sweet potatoes – are thought to be responsible for the effects. Carotenoids are also present in all layers of human skin. There are several hundred carotenoids, but beta-carotene and lycopene are among the most studied and are associated with a number of health benefits.
This article originally appeared in the Daily Mail
Image: Ariwasabi/Shutterstock.com
29 Responses
Now I just need to stop being lazy and put this into action :-/
Good diet and exercise makes up good skin…need to up my veg consumption.
I agree exercise and correct, healthy diet
Exercise and a good diet has always been number one things to have to have a good lifestyle
Smoothies are great ways to increase your fruit and veg intake. And if all fails, highlighters and bronzers can do the trick ;)
So true!
So have to eat more fruit and veg!
Great tips :)
Fruit & veg effects on our skin, great info.Thanx a mil
Great tips!