In a groundbreaking study, Visine and colleagues from the University of Montpellier, France, investigated the relationship between refined carbohydrate consumption and perceived facial attractiveness. Their findings, reported in the open-access journal PLOS ONE on March 6, 2024, shed new light on the potential influence of diet on social perceptions.
The Western diet, characterised by its high intake of refined carbohydrates—such as white flour, table sugar, and ingredients found in many packaged snacks—has been associated in previous research with various adverse health effects, including obesity, type II diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. Building upon this knowledge, researchers hypothesised that high consumption of refined carbohydrates might also influence non-medical traits, such as attractiveness. Visine and colleagues conducted a study involving 104 French adults of European descent to explore this further.
Participants were divided into groups, with some receiving a high-glycemic breakfast rich in refined carbohydrates known to increase blood sugar levels rapidly. In contrast, others were given a low-glycemic breakfast. Additionally, participants completed a questionnaire assessing their usual consumption patterns of refined carbohydrates. Subsequently, heterosexual volunteers were asked to rate the attractiveness of opposite-sex participants based on photographs taken two hours after breakfast—this selection criterion aimed to minimise cultural variability by including only individuals with four European-origin grandparents.
Data analysis revealed that consuming a high-glycemic breakfast was associated with lower attractiveness ratings for both male and female participants. Moreover, chronic consumption of refined carbohydrates during breakfast and snacks was similarly linked to diminished attractiveness ratings, whereas consuming high-energy foods at these times correlated with higher attractiveness scores.
The findings revealed sex-specific differences. Among men, increased energy intake during afternoon snacking was associated with reduced attractiveness ratings, whereas higher glycemic intake during this period corresponded to elevated attractiveness ratings. These outcomes persisted even after controlling for potential confounding factors such as age, perceived age, body mass index (BMI), smoking habits, and facial hair density.
The researchers emphasized the importance of their findings in understanding social interactions, noting that facial attractiveness, a crucial component of social dynamics, appears to be influenced by both immediate and chronic consumption of refined carbohydrates in men and women. They underscored the need for further investigation with more extensive and more diverse participant samples to elucidate the precise mechanisms linking refined carbohydrate consumption to attractiveness and other social traits, sparking curiosity for future research in the audience.
Visine and colleagues’ study provides compelling evidence suggesting a connection between refined carbohydrate intake and perceived facial attractiveness. These findings not only highlight potential implications for broader social interactions but also underscore the importance of dietary choices for individual health outcomes.
More information: Amandine Visine et al, Chronic and immediate refined carbohydrate consumption and facial attractiveness, PLoS ONE. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0298984
Journal information: PLoS ONE Provided by PLOS
