Abstract

Colorful carotenoid ornaments are sexually selected signals of health in many species. In humans too, carotenoids could provide a perceptible cue to health as they impart an attractive yellow-orange color to skin. Increasing carotenoid pigmentation and skin yellowness is associated with increased fruit and vegetable intake, but whether other aspects of human health benefit skin color is unknown. Carotenoids, as antioxidants, help maintain oxidative balance but are expended in this role. Therefore, any health factor affecting oxidative balance could alter the quantity of carotenoids available to color skin. Exercise increases endogenous antioxidant capacity and consequently may decrease expenditure of carotenoids. Fitness could also raise skin carotenoids by lowering body fat (a source of oxidative stress). Here we investigate the relationship between skin color (measured spectrophotometrically), aerobic fitness (measured by estimating the maximum volume of oxygen that a person can use per unit of time, VO2 max), and body fat. In a cross-sectional design, we find that both higher aerobic fitness and lower body fat are predictors of skin yellowness, independent of each other and dietary fruit and vegetable intake. In a longitudinal design over 8 weeks, we found that increase in fitness and decrease in body fat were independently associated with an increase in skin yellowness. Change in self-reported stress and sleep were further predictors of skin yellowness indicating a more general relation between health and skin tone. Simulations of the skin color associated with higher fitness were found to appear healthier. Hence, our results suggest that increasing cardiovascular fitness and decreasing fat levels produce a healthier skin color. Such findings have repercussions for public health because improved attractiveness can provide an incentive for a healthier lifestyle, including exercise and weight regulation.

Highlights

  • In many species of birds and fish, yellow-red carotenoid pigments are prevalent as ornamentation in beaks, feathers, skin, and scales (Goodwin, 1986)

  • Study 1 found that two objective measures of health in normal adults are related to variation in skin color across individuals

  • We found evidence that health-related skin color variation is attributable to carotenoid pigments and is unrelated to melanin

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Summary

Introduction

In many species of birds and fish, yellow-red carotenoid pigments are prevalent as ornamentation in beaks, feathers, skin, and scales (Goodwin, 1986). Such ornaments are sexually selected; for example, in guppies (Poecilia reticulata) females preferentially mate with the most brightly colored males (Kodric-Brown, 1985), and in house finches (Carpodacus mexicanas) males with naturally or artificially brighter carotenoid plumage are more likely to mate (Hill, 1991). Study 1 compared people at different levels of fitness and body fat. Study 2 compared changes in skin color with changes in fitness and body fat in a within-participant design. From study 1, we hypothesized that an increase in aerobic fitness would relate to an increase in skin yellowness, whereas an increase in body fat% would be accompanied by a decrease in skin yellowness

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