The ingredients for a healthy tan. (Dwight Eschliman/Getty Images)
Recent research from the University of Nottingham finds that “healthy tans” might not be such an oxymoron after all. That’s good news for fair-skinned folks like me who want some summertime tint without skin-damaging tanning beds or excessive sunbathing. A study conducted by Dr. Ian Stephen found that upping vegetable intake can improve color even better than by laying poolside.
“Most people think the best way to improve skin colour is to get a suntan, but our research shows that eating lots of fruit and vegetables is actually more effective,” Stephen said.
Carotenoid antioxidants in fruit and veggies, which give carrots and tomatoes their ruddy hues, can rub off in our skin as they build up in our fatty tissues. Eating more carotenoids not only keeps our immune systems strong, it also gives Caucasian skin a more golden luster, which study participants found more visually appealing that sun-tanned skin.
“We found that, given the choice between skin colour caused by suntan and skin colour caused by carotenoids, people preferred the carotenoid skin colour, so if you want a healthier and more attractive skin colour, you are better off eating a healthy diet with plenty of fruit and vegetables than lying in the sun,” Stephens explained.
My new summertime menu? Fresh tomato sandwiches and carrot raisin salad, pronto.
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Filed under: Stuff Mom Never Told You Tagged: antioxidants, health, Skin, tanning, tanning beds, vegetables
