Last night, while enjoying an aperitivo at home, my boyfriend shared a fascinating (and slightly alarming) fact. He told me about Gabriele Del Grande, an Italian journalist and filmmaker known for documenting migration and human rights issues. During a seminar he attended years ago, Del Grande described going undercover to document the journey of people migrating from Central Africa to Europe. To blend in and appear more like an Arab migrant, he ate carrots daily to tint his skin – a small but striking detail from his experience.
I was surprised – and a little worried. Why? Because I eat a lot of carrots. Fresh, crunchy, and slightly sweet, they’re one of my favorite snacks. I easily go through 300-400 grams daily. However, I tend to eat them in cycles – one month of carrot obsession followed by a break of a few weeks. It all depends on whether they’re sweet enough for my taste. But could my love for carrots actually affect my skin color?
The science behind carotenemia
Yes, it turns out that eating too many carrots can make your skin turn orange. This condition is called carotenemia, and it happens when you consume excessive amounts of beta-carotene, the pigment responsible for the orange color of carrots, sweet potatoes, and pumpkins.
Beta-carotene is converted into vitamin A in your body, but when you consume more than your body needs, the excess builds up in your skin. The result? A yellow-orange tint, especially noticeable on your palms, soles, and face. Unlike jaundice, which affects the whites of the eyes, carotenemia is harmless and purely cosmetic.
How many carrots are too many?
There’s no exact number, as it depends on your metabolism, but regularly eating more than 20-50 mg of beta-carotene per day (equivalent to around 500-1000 grams of carrots) over a long period can lead to noticeable skin discoloration. My 300-400 grams per day might not be enough to turn me into an Oompa Loompa, but if I ate that amount consistently for months, I might see a slight change in skin tone.
Can it be reversed?
Thankfully, carotenemia isn’t permanent! If you cut back on high-beta-carotene foods, your skin will return to normal within a few weeks or months. So, no need to panic if you notice a subtle orange glow – just mix up your diet a bit!
Should you stop eating carrots?
Not at all! Carrots are packed with vitamins, fiber, and antioxidants that support eye health, boost immunity, and promote glowing skin (in a good way). Just enjoy them in moderation if you don’t want to match the color of your snack!
So, do you love carrots as much as I do? Have you ever noticed a change in your skin tone from eating too many? Let me know at [email protected].