Eat Your Fruits & Veggies, Get ‘Healthy Glow’

New research from British scientists suggests that eating more fruits and vegetables gives your skin color a darker pigment, almost like suntanning but without the hazards. We have known for a long time that eating fruits and vegetables is good for our health in general, but now it appears that a healthy diet can give you a "healthy glow."

Studies done by University of St. Andrews researchers showed that yellow and red pigments called carotenoids have an effect on skin tone.

Another study done by Cambridge University looked at how food preparation affects the level of carotenoids available from foods we eat. Dr. Glenys Jones of the Medical Research Council Human Nutrition Research Laboratory at Cambridge said, "With the vast majority of the population not consuming the recommended five-a-day of fruits and vegetables, this could be another way of encouraging people through our own innate vanity to increase fruit and vegetable intake."

Some of the best sources for carotenoids include broccoli, carrots, apricots, spinach, and sweet potatoes. Sounds like a great reason to visit the Flint Farmer's Market or the produce aisle of your favorite local grocery store.

So eat your fruits and veggies. They'll make you look good and you'll be healthier in the process. That's a win-win!