Consuming too many refined carbohydrates decreases facial attractiveness according to a new study.
- The French diet is rich in refined carbohydrates, such as flour or white sugar.
- Consuming too much can lead to serious health problems.
- This bad habit can also decrease facial attractiveness, according to a new study.
In a new study, levels of refined carbohydrate consumption have been statistically linked to facial attractiveness. A team of French researchers published these results in PLOS ONE on March 6.
The Western diet consists of a large amount of refined carbohydrates such as white flour or powdered sugar.
Previous research has already linked high consumption of refined carbohydrates to adverse health effects, such as obesity, type II diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
Carbohydrates and facial attractiveness: 104 French people studied
To further explore other possible associations, scientists conducted a study with 104 French adults. The researchers gave some participants a breakfast high in refined carbohydrates, while others ate a breakfast low in refined carbohydrates. Participants also completed a questionnaire to assess their refined carbohydrate consumption habits.
Other volunteers were then asked to rate the attractiveness of the opposite-sex participants’ faces in photos taken two hours after breakfast. All were heterosexual.
The statistical analysis then showed that the consumption of a high-glycemic breakfast was associated with less facial attractiveness, both in men and women. All results remained valid after statistically taking into account other factors likely to influence the attractiveness of faces, such as age or facial hair.
“Facial attractiveness appears to be influenced by the consumption of refined carbohydrates”
“The Western diet has undergone an enormous change since the second half of the 20th century, with the massive increase in the consumption of refined carbohydrates associated with numerous negative health effects. The physiological mechanisms linked to this consumption, such as hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinaemia, may impact non-medical characteristics. write the researchers in their report.
They conclude: “facial attractiveness, an important factor in social interactions, appears to be influenced by immediate and chronic consumption of refined carbohydrates in both men and women.”
Further research with larger, more diverse samples is needed to better understand how refined carbohydrates may be linked to sexiness.
