The carotenoid beta-carotene enhances facial color, attractiveness and perceived health, but not actual health, in humans

Yong Zhi Foo, Gillian Rhodes and Leigh W. Simmons

Behavioral Ecology, 2017, vol. 28, issue 2, 570-578

Abstract: Lay Summary Carotenoid-based skin color influences attractiveness in human males, but may not signal health. Carotenoid-based coloration is argued to signal health because carotenoids also function as antioxidants. We tested the effect of dietary supplementation of the carotenoid beta-carotene on facial appearance and health in men. Beta-carotene increased skin yellowness and redness to increase attractiveness but did not affect 3 measures of health: oxidative stress, innate immunity, or semen quality.

Keywords: carotenoid trade-off hypothesis; humans; mate choice; skin color. (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2017
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