The fountain of youth pumps out tomato puree and carrot soup

If you’re like me, you understand conceptually that it is a good idea to eat fruits and vegetables on a regular basis.

But it is sometimes a little difficult to rise to the challenge……….

Well research from The University of Nottingham have made it real easy.

Eating vegetables makes you look good

Look at this lady.

labelled carotenoid faces

Which version of her looks the healthiest ?

Pretty sure you picked option C.

No, option C is not the result of a holiday at the beach or a contract at a tanning salon. Option C is a veggie induced “tan”.

Actually Option A is the result of sun tanning.

Option B is clearly the lilly white tone produced by the genes alone.

Welcome to the world of cosmoceuticals

There is a whole branch of science busy studying how chemicals we consume impact our beauty.

The chemicals responsible for this healthy glow are the carotenoids. Carotenoids are responsible for the red and yellow colouring in fruits and vegetables such as carrots and tomatoes.

There official claim to fame has been as antioxidants. Antioxidants work by soaking up damaging compounds produced by the stresses and strains of everyday living.

But it is clear that the effects are also skin deep.

Not just for white people

The effect is certainly most dramatic in skin tones of the pale variety but the research team have shown that skin yellowness is attractive across all cultures.

In fact, we are just like birds when it comes to choosing a mate. Female birds rate their males on how yellow their tail feathers are and humans assess how “yellow” the skin tone is.