Can Carrots Give You a Natural Tan?

Why You Should Eat Three Carrots a Day

A beauty trend gaining popularity on TikTok claims that eating three carrots a day can give you a natural tan. But is this really possible? And is it healthy?

Why Would Carrots Affect Your Skin Tone?

Carotenoids are natural pigments that give red, orange, and yellow colors to fruits and vegetables. Think of them as nature’s paint. There are many carotenoids, including lutein, lycopene, alpha-carotene, and beta-carotene. Beta-carotene is the carotenoid responsible for a carrot’s vibrant orange color.

When a beta-carotene-containing food is digested, special cells in the gut break it into two molecules of retinol, also known as vitamin A. This vitamin A is then used in various critical bodily functions, such as vision, reproduction, immunity, and growth.

The body controls the conversion of beta-carotene into vitamin A based on what it needs. So, when the body has enough vitamin A, it slows down or stops converting beta-carotene into vitamin A. Any extra beta-carotene is then either stored in the liver and fat tissue, excreted through poo, or removed via sweat glands in the outer layer of the skin. This is when the orange skin “tan” can happen.

How Many Carrots Are We Talking?

A few days of high carrot intake will unlikely result in a change in skin color. No high-quality trials have been conducted to test the relationship between the number of carrots eaten per day and skin color changes or other outcomes. However, there is evidence that carotenoderma appears when blood levels get higher than 250-500 µg/dL.

One published case report found eating around 3 kilograms of carrots per week (about seven large carrots a day) induced skin color changes. Other experts suggest you would need to eat at least ten carrots per day, for at least a few weeks, for color changes to occur. Most people would find this carrot intake challenging.

Is It Safe to Eat Too Many Carrots?

Vitamin A comes in two main forms: preformed vitamin A and provitamin A. Preformed vitamin A is the active form of vitamin A found in animal-based foods, such as liver, fish liver oil, egg yolks, and dairy products. When you eat these foods, the preformed vitamin A is already ready to be used by the body.

Provitamin A compounds, including beta-carotene, are the precursors to vitamin A. Provitamin A compounds need to be converted into active vitamin A once inside the body.

Preformed vitamin A can be toxic if consumed in large amounts. However, provitamin A compounds don’t cause vitamin A toxicity in humans because the body tightly regulates the conversion of provitamin A compounds to vitamin A. For this reason, there are no recommended limits on how much beta-carotene a person can safely consume each day.

Conclusion

While eating three carrots a day may not give you a natural tan, incorporating various colorful vegetables into your diet may promote a natural radiance and gentle enhancement in skin tone. Rather than relying on processed foods, a high variety of fresh vegetables provides various nutrients, and some may have what others lack. So, it’s essential to have a balanced diet that doesn’t depend on a single type of vegetable.

FAQs

Q: Will eating three carrots a day really give me a natural tan?
A: No, it’s unlikely to result in a significant change in skin color.

Q: How many carrots do I need to eat to see a change in skin color?
A: It’s unclear, as there are no high-quality trials to test the relationship between carrot intake and skin color changes. However, some experts suggest eating at least ten carrots per day, for at least a few weeks, for color changes to occur.

Q: Is it safe to eat too many carrots?
A: Yes, provitamin A compounds like beta-carotene are not toxic in humans, and there are no recommended limits on how much beta-carotene a person can safely consume each day.