Why does your skin turn orange if you eat a lot of carrots?
by 
mizuiislife
ANSWERS: 5
-
It's called carotenemia. Carrots have lots of carotene in them. High levels of beta-carotene can cause a yellowish discoloration of the skin, most noticeable on the palms and soles. Unlike jaundice, though, carotenemia does not cause yellowing of the whites of the eyes. If you stop eating carrots for several months the color will fade and go back to normal. I knew a lady who practically lived on carrots and wow! was she orange. A very strage looking lady! The same thing can happen if you eat too many tomatoes but it's called lycopenemia caused by the lycopene in them, though the color is more yellowish orange
-
Not only carrots, but many foods with high carotene; sweet potatoes, casava, pumpkin, etc. However, you must eat a "great deal" of these foods to develop the syndrome. Much more than anyone normally would. These foods contain a protein pigment, 'carotene' which "seeks" out the skin to store itself. It is not the same thing as "beta-keratin", the active ingredient of "vitamin A".
-
As they say "you are what you eat"
-
I think I'll start eating tons of carrots, just to give myself some color. I'd rather be orangy than as white as I am.
-
Because I started eating candy corns, pumpkin pies and oranges as a side item.=)
RELATED QUESTIONS
Copyright 2023, Wired Ivy, LLC