But it turns out, there’s a better way to fake a sunbathing session than a spray tan. What I’d long thought was just a myth—that certain fruits and veggies can actually change the color of your skin, giving you an orange-rose glow—is actually true. “Certain orange and red fruits and veggies that are rich in carotenoids—beta-carotene, alpha-carotene, and lycopene—can give skin a natural glow,” says Jessica Levinson, RD, nutritionist at Nutritioulicious. “These include things like carrots, tomatoes, watermelon, sweet potatoes, papaya, grapefruit, cantaloupe, and apricots.” MORE: Dessert In A Blender: Carrot Cake Juice But how? Carotenoids are fat-soluble, says Levinson, so excess carotenoids are stored in the layer of fat right under the skin, which can lead to the color peeking through if you have a lighter skin tone to begin with. In fact, one small study in PLOS One found that when Caucasian participants consumed just three servings of beta-carotene- and lycopene-rich produce daily (in addition to the produce they were already eating) for 6 weeks, they developed a yellower, rosier skin tone. These hues, researchers say, have also been associated with vitality and good looks—when a different set of participants was shown images of the people with slightly yellower skin, they rated them as healthier and more attractive. MORE: Are Baby Carrots The New Junk Food? But, uh, are you going to turn totally orange? Maybe you’ve heard tales of people going crazy on carrots only to end up looking like real-life Oompa Loompas—and yes, that can happen. It’s a harmless condition called carotenosis, and it’s most common in young children and vegetarians. But as long as you keep your intake of carotenoid-rich foods reasonable—around two to three servings a day, along with other fruits and veggies—then you shouldn’t have a problem. Another perk of carotenoids: “They’re powerful antioxidants that help prevent UV-induced sun damage,” says Levinson. So not only do they make you look like you’ve spent time in the sun, they also protect you from it. Win win!
