Report: Fruits and vegetables best bet for healthy skin

From Emaxhealth.com

Researchers from the UK found that skin with a rosy, yellowish, bright glow reflects good health. The way our skin looks tells a lot about overall health. The scientists also say the way to maintain a healthy skin appearance is by eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables.

“In the West we often think that sun tanning is the best way to improve the color of your skin,” said Ian Stephen from the University of Bristol “but our research suggests that living a healthy lifestyle with a good diet might actually be better.” The scientists say consuming richly pigmented fruits and vegetables is the best way to improve skin color that is a sign of good health and also naturally attractive.

The researchers used computer software allowing 54 males and females to manipulate skin color to produce the healthiest appearance. The participants chose to increase the yellowness, brightness and rosiness of the skin – tones that reflect good blood flow and good health. The scientists say adding healthy tone to skin occurs naturally by eating more fruits and vegetables.

“Most previous work on faces has focused on the shape of the face or the texture of the skin, but one of the most variable characteristics of the face is skin color,” said Dr. Stephen. “The only natural way in which we can make our skin lighter and more yellow is to eat a more healthy diet high in fruit and vegetables.”

“We knew from our previous work that people who have more blood and more oxygen color in their skins looked healthy, and so we decided to see what other colors affect health perceptions. This has given us some clues as to what other skin pigments may relate to a healthy appearance.”

Yellow tones to the skin are preferred because of ‘carotenoid pigments’ that are found in fruits and vegetables. Healthy skin that is lighter and rosier was perceived as more attractive, compared to dark tanned skin, because it relates to good heart and lung health. Less rosy skin from smoking and disease leads to less rosy skin tones. Eating fruits and vegetables provides the body with antioxidants that lead to good health inside and out, and also produces skin tones that reflect optimal health and well-being.