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Alba Otero
Writer“Observe, listen, and reflect” is my journalistic mantra. This philosophy guides me daily and ensures I produce quality journalism. My restlessness has led me explore new areas, such as sustainability and the energy transition, which are crucial to our future. In addition, I’ve also dabbled in street photography, an art that allows me to capture the essence of journalism in action.
Alba Mora
WriterAn established tech journalist, I entered the world of consumer tech by chance in 2018. In my writing and translating career, I've also covered a diverse range of topics, including entertainment, travel, science, and the economy.
Summer is here, bringing with it a host of tips for achieving that coveted golden tan often associated with a great vacation. From sunscreen and self-tanners to controlled sun exposure, there’s one piece of advice that seems to resurface every year as if it were new: eating carrots to get a tan. But is there any truth to this?
A harmless snack? Eating carrots at the beach is a reasonable idea. They’re fresh and nutritious. Plus, the age-old belief that a carrot-rich diet can give you golden skin makes a comeback every summer. However, the actual color change is somewhat different from what many might expect.
An orange hue. What actually occurs is a phenomenon known as carotenodermia. “Yes, carrots can change the color of your skin,” dermatologist Christian Merkel told Glamour. However, he cautions, “The shade is usually not as brown as the tan you get from the sun, but more orange.”
This color change is due to beta-carotene, a pigment found in carrots, pumpkins, mangoes, and other fruits and vegetables. When consumed in large amounts, beta-carotene can accumulate in the skin, particularly in areas such as the palms of the hands, soles of the feet, elbows, and nose. This leads to a noticeable change in skin color.
A fake tan. “The carrot-like tan is not a true tan per se, but it represents an orange discoloration of the skin,” dermatologist Silvija Gottesman told MedPage Today. The color produced by melanin from sun exposure is different. What you get from consuming carrots is a superficial coloration that doesn’t activate the melanocytes. Instead of achieving a golden tan, you may end up with a temporary orange tint.
There are limits. As with most things in nutrition, moderation is key. Nutritionist Sarah Carolides from the Lanserhof Clinic explained to Women’s Health Mag that excessive intake of beta-carotene can lead to skin staining, often without the person realizing it. She estimates that consuming about 12 medium raw carrots a day or less than 300 ml of juice daily for around a month can result in visible skin color changes.
In a clinical case from a hospital in Spain, a one-year-old girl developed a noticeable yellowish tint after being fed carrot puree daily. The pigmentation disappeared after removing carrots from her diet for two months.
Is it dangerous? Generally, no. Dietary carotenodermia isn’t harmful and usually resolves when the diet is adjusted. However, it can be mistaken for conditions like jaundice. Additionally, for individuals with metabolic disorders or diseases such as hypothyroidism, diabetes, or anorexia nervosa, this type of pigmentation may signify more serious imbalances. Experts say that the accumulation of carotenoids isn’t solely diet-related but can also be influenced by metabolic alterations.
Bottom line. Eating carrots has its benefits. They’re healthy, antioxidant-rich, high in vitamin A, and can provide the skin with a slight warm tone. However, you won’t achieve a tan simply by consuming them. The resulting effect is more orange than golden, more noticeable on the hands than on the face, and ultimately more anecdotal than aesthetic.
Image | Tanvir Anjum Ibna Mizan
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