Eating intensely colored fruits and vegetables, such as carrots and purple plums, makes the appearance more attractive as it gives the skin a slightly yellowish sheen, British scientists say.
According to Ian Stephen, involved in a joint project of the universities of St Andrews in Scotland and the English Bristol, visible effects in the form of a healthy and attractive skin tone can be seen after just 2 months. Stephen told Grocer it was due to yellow pigments called carotenoids found in some fruits and vegetables.
As part of the study, 40 volunteers were asked to rate 51 Scots’ faces on their healthy and attractive appearance. They were then ranked according to their dietary preferences.
Stephen believes the discovery will lead people to eat healthier. Telling people that in 40 years they might die of a heart attack if they don’t eat healthy is one thing, but to show them that in 2 months their appearance will improve if they eat more vegetables and fruit is another suggestion, he says.
Previous studies show that dried apricots contain vitamin A, which is essential for replenishing skin cells. In turn, citrus fruits rich in vitamin C make the skin supple. Researchers advise people with wrinkles to eat spinach and watercress containing vitamin E. (PAP)