It’s known in the animal world that colorful males are more attractive to females. Males in various animal species, like birds, fishes and reptiles, get their “coloring” from carotenoids, which are red and yellow plant pigments found in fruits and vegetables (carrots, for example).
The theory is that females are attracted to males who display signs of health, and these color pigments are signs that the males are healthy.
So is the same true in humans? Are females more attracted to males who consume more carotenoids and look more “red and yellow”?
Evidently, this may be the case according to a study published in Behavioral Ecology.
50% More Attractive and Healthier Looking
Forty-three heterosexual Caucasian men with a mean age of 21 years had their health measured and their photos taken to document skin color. They were given the carotenoid beta-carotene as a supplement for 12 weeks. Their health was then measured again and photos taken again to document skin color changes.
There was also a control placebo group of 20 males. These men were given “dummy pills” as the supplement.
Sixty-six heterosexual Caucasian females with a mean age of 33 were then asked online to rate the attractiveness of the males looking at photos of their faces before and after taking the supplements.
Interestingly, the females were 50% more likely to rate males who took the beta-carotene supplement as attractive and healthier looking. This was in comparison to the pre-supplement photos and photos of the men in the placebo group who took the “dummy pills.”
Eat Those Carrots, Guys!
So it seems that beta-carotene really make the faces of the men more attractive and healthy looking to the females!
Well, there you have it, guys, straight from a research journal. It seems like eating plant pigments called carotenoids found in fruits and vegetables (beta-carotene is a carotenoid found in carrots) can make you look more attractive to the ladies. Start chomping on those carrots and drinking carrot juice!
Journal Reference:
Yong Zhi Foo, Gillian Rhodes, Leigh W. Simmons. The carotenoid beta-carotene enhances facial color, attractiveness and perceived health, but not actual health, in humans. Behavioral Ecology, February 2017, http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/beheco/arw188
