The Western diet includes a significant level of refined carbohydrates, such as white flour and simple sugars, which are used to make processed foods such as industrial pastries, and whose consumption has been associated in some studies with health problems, such as the development of obesity, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. A new study has further found that participants’ level of refined carbohydrate consumption was statistically related to their facial attractiveness, as rated by heterosexual volunteers of the opposite sex.
The research has been carried out by experts from the University of Montpellier (France) led by Amandine Visine who have presented their findings in the journal PLOS ONE. Previous studies have suggested that consuming high levels of refined carbohydrates could also influence non-medical factors, such as a person’s attractiveness, so to investigate this possibility, Visine and colleagues conducted a study involving 104 French men and women.
How a high-glycemic breakfast affects facial attractiveness
The researchers offered some of the participants a high-glycemic breakfast – which included refined carbohydrates known to increase blood sugar levels – while others received a low-glycemic breakfast. Participants also answered a questionnaire to assess their typical refined carbohydrate consumption habits.
Another group of heterosexual volunteers were then asked to rate the facial attractiveness of participants of the opposite sex by showing them photographs taken two hours after breakfast. Only participants and volunteers with four grandparents of European origin were included in this research with the aim of reducing cultural heterogeneity.
Chronic consumption of refined carbohydrates during breakfast and snacks was also associated with lower attractiveness ratings
Statistical analysis showed that consuming a high-glycemic breakfast was associated with lower subsequent facial attractiveness ratings for both men and women. Chronic consumption of refined carbohydrates during breakfast and snacks was also associated with lower attractiveness ratings, although consumption of energy-dense foods at these times was associated with higher attractiveness ratings.
The researchers noted some sex differences; Thus, in the case of men, high energy intake in afternoon snacks was associated with lower attractiveness ratings, while high glycemic index intake was related to higher attractiveness ratings. All results remained valid after statistically accounting for other factors that could influence attractiveness, such as actual age, perceived age, body mass index (BMI), tobacco use, and facial hair.
“Facial attractiveness, an important factor in social interactions, appears to be affected by immediate and chronic consumption of refined carbohydrates in men and women,” the authors state in their article. However, they also acknowledge that more research needs to be done, even with larger and more diverse sample sizes, to determine exactly how refined carbohydrates may be related to attractiveness and other social traits.
