Social media is a double-edged sword when it comes to trends. They can be educational and fun but they can also be grossly harmful and are notorious for spreading misinformation. While it is fun to watch some of the trends sweep over the world, it is important to keep in mind that not everything you come across on the Internet is necessarily true. Among the latest trends is the viral Carrot Tan which has the Internet in a chokehold currently.
What Is The Viral Carrot Tans Trend?
Beauty trends on the Internet are either brilliant or bizarre. There is no in-between. Where this latest viral trend lies is up for debate. The carrot tans trend claims that if a person consumes three carrots per day, their skin tone will gain a natural tan.
The obvious question to ask is whether it’s true. As it turns out there is some semblance of truth in the claim. Carrots are packed with Carotenoids which are natural pigments. They give the carrots their vibrant orange colour. Your body converts carotene into Vitamin A.
However, it only requires a certain amount of it. So when there is an excess of it, the body excretes it from your body. One of the ways is through sweating. Because the pigment is still present, the sweating gives your skin a tan-like hue.
How Safe Is The Trend?
While we know that it is possible for your skin to temporarily shift its pigmentation from carotenoids, the jury is still out on how much carrots you need to eat per day for it. This is because there are not many high-quality studies conducted on the subject.
This wouldn’t deter a wayward tan-enthusiast but there are other reasons to sit this trend out. You know the old adage that goes “Too much of a good thing is a bad thing”? It applies in this situation. While Vitamin A is good for your body, some forms of it can be harmful when consumed in excess.
As a matter of fact, consuming large amounts of Preformed Vitamin A has been linked to lung cancer, as per an article by Science Alert.
Also Read: 47% Indians Enjoy Traditional Snacks. From Chakli To Mithais, Here Are The Festive Eating Trends
Have you come across this trend on social media? Did it appeal to you? Let us know in the comments below!
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