The “Carrot Tan” Trend: Does It Actually Work?

The internet is full of cool and sometimes really weird stuff that gets everyone talking. You’ve got dance challenges, funny memes, and all sorts of creative ideas buzzing around online. One of the latest trends making waves on the internet is something called the “carrot tan” which claims that the “daily consumption of three carrots” can lead to a naturally radiant tan, perfect for flaunting your beach body or enhancing your looks.

The supporters of this trend claim that these crunchy vegetables, rich in beta-carotene, hold the secret to achieving a bronzed complexion without ever stepping foot in the sun. But is there any truth to this viral sensation, or is it just another internet-driven myth?

In this article, we’ll dive deep into the carrot tan craze, and uncover the potential risks and side effects associated with this unconventional approach to achieving a sun-kissed look.

Health Benefits of Consuming Carrots

Carrots are one of the commonly consumed foods especially in the Asian community for their various health benefits.¹ You’ll often see folks chomping down on carrots just because they might have heard that it might help them ditch their glasses and keep their eyesight in tip-top shape.

Carrots are one of the best sources of Vitamin A and consuming them may have many positive effects on the body:

• Eyes: Carrots are indeed excellent for your eyes. They are rich in beta-carotene, which the body converts into vitamin A. This vitamin is crucial for maintaining good vision, especially in low-light conditions. A diet rich in vitamin A helps prevent night blindness and can support long-term eye health.
• Skin: The beta-carotene in carrots also acts as an antioxidant, helping to protect your skin from damage caused by free radicals. It promotes a healthy complexion and can give your skin a natural, radiant glow.
• Hair: The vitamins and minerals in carrots, including vitamin A and biotin, can promote healthy hair growth and prevent hair loss.
• Bones: Carrots are a source of vitamin K, which is essential for bone health. Vitamin K plays a role in bone mineralization and density, reducing the risk of fractures and osteoporosis.
• Heart: The antioxidants and potassium found in carrots can contribute to heart health. Potassium helps regulate blood pressure, while antioxidants help reduce oxidative stress and inflammation, factors that can lead to heart disease.
• Gut: Carrots contain dietary fiber, which is essential for healthy digestion. Fiber helps regulate bowel movements, prevents constipation, and supports a balanced gut microbiome, promoting overall digestive wellness.
• Immune System: Carrots are a good source of various vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C and vitamin A, which are known for their immune-boosting properties. Consuming carrots can strengthen your body’s defense against illnesses.
• Weight Management: Carrots are low in calories and high in fiber, making them a great snack option for those looking to manage their weight. The fiber helps you feel fuller for longer, reducing the likelihood of overeating.

The Unwanted Side Effects of Carrot Tan

Carrots do not contain the necessary components to stimulate melanin (natural pigment responsible for tanning) production in the skin

While the concept of achieving a sun-kissed tan through consuming carrots might sound harmless and appealing, it’s essential to understand that there are potential unwanted side effects of consuming excessive carrots to achieve a carrot tan.

The carrot tan trend is largely based on a myth. Attempting to tan by consuming carrots is not only ineffective but also temporary and misleading. The tan from eating a ton of carrots isn’t the same as getting a bronze glow from laying by the pool.

Although excessive carrot intake rarely causes any adverse effects, they should not be underestimated:

1. Carotenemia may be one of the long-term side effects of excessive carrot consumption. It occurs when there is an excessive buildup of beta-carotene (a pigment found in carrots, sweet potatoes, and pumpkins) in the bloodstream. This can lead to a noticeable orange or yellowish tint to the skin, which is often mistaken for a tan. Although this tinted skin may not be associated with significant health risks, it can be unpleasant to look at and may be a cause of worry for some people.
2. Hypervitaminosis A:Beside the aesthetic discomfort, increased carotene in your body can lead to many side effects due to accumulation of vitamin A like nausea, headache, vomiting, blurring of vision, and seizures as a result of increased pressure inside your head. If excess amounts are taken for a long time, vitamin A can cause hair loss, loss of appetite, itching, dry skin, altered lipid profile, and liver damage.
3. Digestive issues: Furthermore, consuming excessive amounts of carrots to achieve a tan may also result in digestive issues like bloating, gas, and diarrhea due to the presence of excessive fiber.

Conclusion: Carrot Tan Is Not What It Claims To Be

Eating carrots just to attain a tan that looks more orange than brown and which lasts only temporarily may not be worthwhile and actually harmful. Moreover consider this:

One medium-sized carrot provides approximately 10,000 IU of vitamin A.² If you consume three carrots a day according to a Titktok trend, you’ll be taking in roughly 30,000 IU of vitamin A daily, which is roughly 10x the recommended daily intake (RDA) (3000 IU in men and 2,333 IU in women).³ Consuming such high quantities of vitamin A may lead to severe complications and even fatal outcomes due to prolonged excessive vitamin A consumption.^4,5

The pursuit of a carrot tan is not without its risks, and there are several compelling reasons why it’s not worth the potential consequences.

Firstly, a carrot tan alone cannot provide the necessary protection against harmful UV radiation from the sun. While they contain antioxidants like beta-carotene that may help protect your skin from sun damage to some extent, this protection is minimal compared to the use of sunscreen or protective clothing. Relying on carrots for sun protection can lead to a false sense of security, increasing the risk of sunburn and long-term skin damage.

Additionally, overindulgence in carrots can lead to an imbalanced diet, with adverse effects on overall skin health. A diet that lacks diversity and essential nutrients may result in dry, dull skin, and can even exacerbate skin conditions like acne or eczema.

In conclusion, a balanced diet involving carrots may be considered a healthy food choice providing various health benefits. However, moderation is key, and individuals should be cautious not to consume carrots in excessive quantities, especially when driven by the misconception that it will lead to a tan or other cosmetic benefits.

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References

1. https://www.ers.usda.gov/webdocs/outlooks/39511/11719_vgs31901_1_.pdf?v=9138
2. https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/170393/nutrients
3. https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/vitamin-a/#:~:text=RDA%3A%20The%20Recommended%20Dietary%20Allowance,cause%20harmful%20effects%20on%20health.
4. Kowalski TE, Falestiny M, Furth E, Malet PF. Vitamin A hepatotoxicity: a cautionary note regarding 25,000 IU supplements. Am J Med. 1994;97(6):523-8.
5. Kulkarni AV, Kumar P, Talukdar R, Rao NP. Steroids as rescue therapy for vitamin A-induced acute liver failure. BMJ Case Rep. 2020;13(3):e233902.