Sweet, cool, and crisp with a satisfying crunch, carrots are a hydrating, low-calorie, and highly-nutritious snack.

“You look great! What are you doing differently?”

Carrots are rich in a compound called beta-carotene, an organic pigment giving them their vibrant orange color. When consumed, beta-carotene is a powerful antioxidant shown to boost cognitive performance, protect the skin from ultraviolet rays, and prevent age related macular degeneration.

“Dude, you’re glowing. Have you been working out?”

Once digested, beta-carotene travels through the bloodstream to collect in the epidermis and subcutaneous fatty layer. Excess carotenoids in these areas give the skin an orangish-yellow hue, particularly noticeable in those with a lighter complexion.

“You feeling okay, man? You look a little yellow.”

Carotenosis, as it’s called, isn’t harmful to your health. It can, however, take its toll on your social life and may make the people around you awfully outspoken and presumptuous.

“No, I’m not jaundiced, thank you very much.”

Luckily, reversing carotenosis is simple. Just quit stuffing carrots down your gullet. As the stored carotenoids are secreted through sweat and sebum, the pigmentation fades, only to return once you’re reminded of how tasty the little bastards are after that first addictive crunch.

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