A study reveals that people who consume a high-refined-carb breakfast are perceived as less attractive.

It might be worth switching to wholemeal toast and sugar-free tea in place of the highly processed pastries and fruit juice if you want to look your best in the morning.

Researchers in France discovered that individuals who began their day with healthier unrefined carbohydrates were deemed more attractive than those who consumed a breakfast high in refined carbohydrates.

Researchers at the University of Montpellier think that variations in insulin and blood sugar levels, which can impact skin tone and have long-term consequences on sex hormones, could be the cause of the modest alteration in facial attractiveness.

"It's astonishing to think about, but the foods we eat can have a quick impact on how we look," evolutionary scientist and research first author Dr. Claire Berticat said. "These physiological changes may change facial features in subtle ways that affect how attractive people find you."

52 men and 52 women, ages 20 to 30, were chosen at random by the researchers, and they were given the option to have a 500-calorie breakfast high in refined or unprocessed carbs. A French baguette made with industrially milled wheat, jam, apple or orange juice, and sugar-infused tea or coffee were all part of the refined carbohydrate breakfast. Stoneground wholemeal bread with butter and cheese, an orange or apple, and sugar-free tea or coffee made up the grain of unprocessed carbohydrates.

The volunteers' blood sugar levels were recorded both before and after they ate, and the subjects' heads were photographed in controlled lighting. After that, groups of raters were given the images to determine the subjects' age, gender identity, and level of attractiveness.

According to a study published in Plos One, eating refined carbs for breakfast reduced both men's and women's facial attractiveness. However, the longer-term consequences of consuming these meals were more nuanced, as revealed by volunteer questionnaire responses.

"The effect varies by meal type and gender, highlighting the intricate relationship between attractiveness and diet," stated Berticat. "Our results provide as a powerful reminder of the extensive influence that dietary decisions have not only on health but also on characteristics that are particularly valued in society, like physical attractiveness."

Blood sugar rises caused by refined carbs can be resisted by the body by producing insulin. The reaction can alter blood flow and skin appearance, as well as cause hypoglycemia—a condition in which blood sugar levels fall dangerously low. Only the meal high in refined carbohydrates caused hypoglycemia in the research.

It should come as no surprise, according to David Perrett, a psychology professor at the University of St Andrews who has researched the relationship between health and facial cues, that diet has an impact on appearance. He said that while high-sugar diets could age the skin, eating more fruits and vegetables increased the amount of plant pigments called carotenoids in the skin, improving appearance.

According to Perrett, "the authors propose that the refined carbohydrate may be influencing peripheral blood flow." Blood flow has the power to drastically alter skin tone. When the blood stops flowing from the skin, one can witness the effects in a matter of seconds. According to our research, most people appear both healthier and more appealing when their skin tone indicates a little increase in blood oxygenation.

"We know that refined carbohydrates have a negative impact on health, so it makes sense to limit their consumption," stated Berticat.

Conclusion:

This University of Montpellier study emphasizes how important food decisions—especially those made for breakfast—can have on how appealing a person's face is. Researchers compared the impact of refined and unrefined breakfasts high in carbohydrates on young individuals' facial appearances and discovered that those eating unprocessed carbohydrates were viewed as more beautiful. This discrepancy is explained by the way refined carbohydrates impact blood sugar and insulin levels, which in turn affects skin tone and maybe sex hormones in the long run. The study emphasizes the direct and complex link between physical attractiveness and diet, stressing the value of making healthier food choices for both our general health and how we are viewed by others.