Vegetables Come Up Trumps

SCOTTISH researchers have found that not only will a diet high in fruit and vegetables make you feel better, it will also make you look better.

Lead study researcher Ross Whitehead, from the School of Psychology at the University of St. Andrews, said: “We found that within a six-week period, fluctuation in fruit and vegetable consumption was associated with skin-colour changes.”

The fruit and vegetable intake of 35 people was observed over a six-week period. A higher level of consumption was linked with higher levels of red and yellow colouring in skin, caused by carotenoids including betacarotene and lycopene.

A second study then linked the changes in skin colour to increased attractiveness. “Our study suggests that an increase in fruit and veggie consumption of around three portions over a six-week period is sufficient to convey perceptible improvements in the apparent healthiness and attractiveness of facial skin,” Dr Whitehead said. “Conversely, those that worsened their diet became paler. Eat more fruits and veggies to improve your appearance.”