Abstract
BackgroundAn effect of increased fruit and vegetable (FV) consumption on facial attractiveness has been proposed and recommended as a strategy to promote FV intakes, but no studies to date demonstrate a causal link between FV consumption and perceived attractiveness. This study investigated perceptions of attractiveness before and after the supervised consumption of 2, 5 or 8 FV portions/day for 4 weeks in 30 low FV consumers. Potential mechanisms for change via skin colour and perceived skin healthiness were also investigated.MethodsFaces were photographed at the start and end of the 4 week intervention in controlled conditions. Seventy-three independent individuals subsequently rated all 60 photographs in a randomized order, for facial attractiveness, facial skin yellowness, redness, healthiness, clarity, and symmetry.ResultsUsing clustered multiple regression, FV consumption over the previous 4 weeks had no direct effect on attractiveness, but, for female faces, some evidence was found for an indirect impact, via linear and non-linear changes in skin yellowness. Effect sizes, however, were small. No association between FV consumption and skin healthiness was found, but skin healthiness was associated with facial attractiveness.ConclusionsControlled and objectively measured increases in FV consumption for 4 weeks resulted indirectly in increased attractiveness in females via increases in skin yellowness, but effects are small and gradually taper as FV consumption increases. Based on the effect sizes from this study, we are hesitant to recommend the use of facial attractiveness to encourage increased FV consumption.Trial registrationClinical trial Registration Number NCT01591057 (www.clinicaltrials.gov). Registered: 27th April, 2012.
Highlights
An effect of increased fruit and vegetable (FV) consumption on facial attractiveness has been proposed and recommended as a strategy to promote FV intakes, but no studies to date demonstrate a causal link between FV consumption and perceived attractiveness
A 4 week intervention period was dictated by the primary purpose of the study, but 4 weeks is adequate for changes in plasma/ serum concentrations and skin concentrations of watersoluble and fat-soluble vitamins and other polyphenolic biomarkers of FV intake [27, 33, 34, 41]
In all participants and in female faces, some evidence was found for an indirect impact of FV consumption on attractiveness, via changes in skin yellowness
Summary
An effect of increased fruit and vegetable (FV) consumption on facial attractiveness has been proposed and recommended as a strategy to promote FV intakes, but no studies to date demonstrate a causal link between FV consumption and perceived attractiveness. One recent proposal considers the potential use of facial attractiveness for increasing FV intake [18, 19] This hypothesis is based on suggestions that FV. Relationships between FV consumption, skin concentrations of carotenoids and yellow skin have been reported [28,29,30,31,32], and increases in FV consumption have been associated with increases in skin yellowness, increases in skin redness and decreased skin lightness in prospective studies and controlled trials [33,34,35]. More healthy faces have been reported as more attractive [37], and increased attractiveness has been associated with increased skin yellowness, increased skin redness and decreased skin lightness [35, 38, 39]
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