A recent study highlights that incorporating baby carrots into your diet three times a week can significantly enhance skin and immune health. Research conducted by Samford University demonstrated that this modest dietary change notably increased skin carotenoid levels, a marker associated with improved antioxidant protection and reduced risk of chronic diseases.
Carotenoids, which give fruits and vegetables their vivid hues, can be measured in the skin as an indicator of dietary intake. Higher skin carotenoid levels correlate with better skin health and a stronger immune system.
Mary Harper Simmons, a Master of Science in Nutrition student at Samford University, presented these findings at the American Society for Nutrition’s NUTRITION 2024 conference. She noted, “While previous research required consuming three times the recommended serving of fruits and vegetables daily for three weeks to achieve similar results, our study suggests that eating baby carrots as a snack can yield significant benefits.”
In the study, 60 young adults were randomly assigned to receive either Granny Smith apple slices (control), 100 grams of baby carrots, a beta carotene-containing multivitamin, or a combination of both. Using a VeggieMeter, a noninvasive spectroscopy tool, researchers measured carotenoid levels in participants’ skin before and after the four-week intervention. Results showed a 10.8% increase in carotenoid levels among those who consumed baby carrots and a 21.6% increase among those who combined carrots with the supplement. No significant change was observed in the control group or those who took only the supplement.
Simmons emphasized, “The combination of baby carrots and a multivitamin with beta carotene appears to synergistically enhance skin carotenoid accumulation. To maximize benefits, choose a multivitamin with beta carotene and consume baby carrots at least three times a week.”
Future research will delve into the mechanisms behind these effects and explore other carotenoid-rich foods, such as sweet potatoes and leafy greens, to further understand their impact on skin and immune health.