10/05/2007

Eating carrots could be the secret to a long-life and improve sex appeal, according to new research by Glasgow University boffins.

Researchers at the Universities of Glasgow and Exeter have found that eating certain plant substances can slow down the rate of ageing – and that females animals prefer mates that will be long-lived.

Carotenoids are naturally-occurring yellow and red pigments found in plants. Animals that eat those plants can then use the pigments to make themselves colourful in order to attract mates. But carotenoids are also antioxidants, which strengthen the immune system.

This latest research, which was carried out on sticklebacks, has found for the first time that males eating more carotenoids were better able to protect their cells from damage and so lived longer - and that females found these long-lived males particularly attractive.

So, now you can have that piece of carrot cake and know it's for all the right reasons...Awe, what's up doc?