Data from: The carotenoid beta-carotene enhances facial color, attractiveness and perceived health, but not actual health, in humans

Carotenoid-based coloration plays an important role in mate choice in many animal species. It is argued to be an honest signal of health because carotenoids function as antioxidants and only healthy individuals can afford to use available carotenoids for signaling. Here, we tested the effect of dietary supplementation of the carotenoid beta-carotene on facial appearance and health in human males. Beta-carotene supplementation altered skin color to increase facial attractiveness and perceived health. However, we found no effect of beta-carotene on measures of actual health, including oxidative stress, innate immune function, and semen quality. We conclude that although carotenoid-based skin color may be sexually selected in human males, it may not be an honest signal of health.基于类胡萝卜素（carotenoid）的体色在诸多动物物种的配偶选择中发挥着重要作用。该体色被认为是健康状况的诚实信号，这是因为类胡萝卜素具备抗氧化功能，且唯有健康个体能够将自身获取的类胡萝卜素用于信号传递。本研究针对人类男性群体，检验了膳食补充类胡萝卜素β-胡萝卜素（β-carotene）对其面部外观与健康状况的影响。补充β-胡萝卜素可改变肤色，进而提升面部吸引力与他人感知到的健康程度。但本研究未发现β-胡萝卜素对实际健康指标存在任何影响，这些指标包括氧化应激、固有免疫功能与精液质量。综上，尽管基于类胡萝卜素的肤色可能在人类男性中受到性选择偏好的影响，但该肤色或许并非健康状况的诚实信号。