A new study from the University of Nottingham in the UK has suggested that eating dark-coloured fresh produce such as plums and nectarines may be more important in determining the attractiveness of a man than masculinity.
The university's Dr Ian Stephen reportedly made the discovery as part of his research into the effects on attractiveness of dietary carotenoids, such as those found in red or yellow fruit and vegetables.
In an earlier study, it was shown that consuming these pigments offered the skin a golden complexion, and that men considered women with this tone more attractive.
Dr Stephen said: “A new development in this area suggests that carotenoids might be even more important to our appearance than we previously thought. Whereas a feminine appearance is very important in determining the attractiveness of women, there has been debate amongst scientists about how important masculinity is for men. Our results suggest that the 'golden' colour associated with carotenoids is actually more important than masculinity, and predicted how attractive women found men's faces.”
