Many social media users claim that consuming large amounts of carrots or carrot juice gives the skin a natural tan.
Specialists have noted that consuming a large quantity of carrots daily can change skin color to orange, but it does not provide a natural tan.
A nutrition specialist explained that eating a few carrots daily can lead to a gradual change in skin color, attributing this to carrots being rich in the compound beta-carotene.
The specialist said that consuming 10 to 20 mg of beta-carotene for most people may lead to a change in skin color, which is equivalent to eating about 5 medium-sized carrots daily. However, the change takes weeks to become noticeable.
However, excessive intake of beta-carotene can cause carotenemia, a condition where the skin turns yellow-orange, and it may take months to return to the normal color.
A doctor and assistant professor of dermatology stated: “Part of the beta-carotene we consume is chemically converted in the liver into retinol and is an important source of vitamin A.”
When consumed in large amounts, carotenoids accumulate in the blood and deposit in the skin, causing a yellow-orange color.
Carrots are not the only food containing beta-carotene. Many vegetables and fruits such as sweet potatoes, peppers, cantaloupe, mango, and apricot are rich in these compounds.
Turmeric also contains natural compounds called curcuminoids that give the skin a yellow appearance, but excessive consumption is linked to serious health problems.
What is the best way to get a bronze tan?
The professor said: “Whatever you do, avoid tanning beds.”
She added: “A tan resulting from exposure to natural or artificial ultraviolet rays means actual damage to the DNA in skin cells, leading to photoaging such as wrinkles and brown spots, and increases the risk of skin cancer.”
Instead, she recommends using sunless tanning products containing dihydroxyacetone (DHA), a substance approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. This substance works by reacting with amino acids on the skin’s surface to temporarily darken it.
Carrots
Carrots are not a specific place or cultural site but a widely cultivated root vegetable with a long history of human consumption. They are believed to have originated in Central Asia, with early cultivation dating back thousands of years, and were originally prized for their aromatic leaves and seeds rather than their edible roots.
sweet potatoes
Sweet potatoes are a starchy root vegetable that originated in Central or South America over 5,000 years ago. They were later spread globally by European explorers and colonizers, becoming a fundamental food crop in many cultures.
peppers
Peppers, as a cultural and culinary subject, refer to the fruits of plants from the *Capsicum* genus, which are native to the Americas. Their history includes domestication over 6,000 years ago and their global spread following the Columbian Exchange, which profoundly transformed cuisines worldwide. Today, they are a fundamental ingredient in countless dishes and a symbol of diverse food traditions.
cantaloupe
Cantaloupe is not a place or cultural site but a type of sweet, orange-fleshed melon. Its name is derived from Cantalupo, a former papal estate near Rome, Italy, where it is believed to have been cultivated in Europe after being introduced from Armenia.
mango
The mango is a tropical fruit originating in South Asia over 4,000 years ago, where it has held cultural and religious significance in countries like India. It was later spread globally by traders and colonists, becoming one of the world’s most cultivated and beloved fruits.
apricot
“Apricot” is not a specific place or cultural site, but rather a type of fruit. However, the Apricot Tree Courtyard (Xinghua Cun) in Beijing is a historic *hutong* alley traditionally associated with apricot trees and known for its traditional architecture. It reflects the residential layout and community life of old Beijing.
Turmeric
Turmeric is a spice derived from the rhizomes of the *Curcuma longa* plant, native to Southeast Asia and a cornerstone of Indian culture and cuisine for over 4,000 years. Historically, it has been used not only as a culinary staple but also as a dye, a component in religious ceremonies, and a key remedy in traditional Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is a federal agency responsible for protecting public health by ensuring the safety and efficacy of food, drugs, medical devices, and cosmetics. It was formally established in 1906 with the passage of the Pure Food and Drugs Act, largely in response to public outrage over unsanitary conditions in the food industry. Its regulatory authority has since expanded significantly through key legislation like the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act of 1938.
