You may not need expensive therapies and face creams to get glowing skin if you just add a few servings of vegetables and fruit to your diet. According to researchers from the University of St Andrews, changes in vegetable and fruit consumption may lead to changes in skin tone. Eating more vegetables and fruit contributes to deepening the natural yellow or red color of the skin. The study has established that changes to skin coloration make people look more attractive and healthier.

The research team believes that this phenomenon can be explained with carotenoids, which are a type of plant chemicals that contribute to changes in skin color. For instance, beta carotene is a substance that gives orange color to carrots and causes a yellowish-orange tint in persons who eat a bag of baby carrots. Reddish vegetables and fruit, such as red peppers and tomatoes, on the other hand, contain lycopene. This is another type of carotenoid, which has been found to add a reddish color to the skin.

How many servings of vegetables and fruit contribute to visible changes in skin color? The research team conducted an experiment to find the answer to this question. They established that 3 servings per day were sufficient to make a visible difference. However, persons with darker skin, for example, African Americans and Latinos, may need a larger number of vegetable and fruit servings to get a noticeable change. The researchers note that more research into non-white participants is required, and the effect on older people may be different.

Finally, Dr Glenys Jones from Cambridge University explains that food preparation techniques are important and determine the amount of carotenoids available. The new study did not take food preparation into account. At the same time, many people do not consume the recommended servings, and this is a good way to encourage them to have more fruits and vegetables.