Woman’s Before and After Photos Expose the Unexpected Impact of Eating Carrots Daily

We’ve all heard the old saying, “you are what you eat,” but one woman took that to an unintentionally literal level. Her story, shared online, has people doing double-takes and reaching for a mirror to inspect their palms.

Earlier this week, a Reddit user named AhsewkaTano posted two photos of herself: one taken in December 2024 and a more recent one. The difference?

In the older image, her skin had a distinctly orange tint. In the newer photo, that color was replaced by her natural skin tone. The culprit? A daily carrot habit that got slightly out of hand.

She explained that she had been eating carrots daily, and sure enough, her skin began to change color.

“It was actually kind of shocking when I looked at older photos,” she wrote. And people on Reddit were quick to jump in with jokes.

One commenter quipped, “I’m glad you recovered from ‘ate too many carrots’ disease.” Another chimed in, “So I can get my wife to start eating carrots instead of that self-tanning stuff?”

A third said, “Hah, that's pretty wild. I get orange-ish palms if I eat too much, but that’s as far as it goes.”

While it might sound like a weird internet hoax, the condition she experienced is very real, and it has a name: carotenemia (also called carotenosis). It occurs when there's too much beta-carotene in the bloodstream, a pigment found in carrots and other orange and yellow vegetables. In high enough quantities, it can tint your skin.

Eating about ten carrots daily for weeks can cause rare carotenemia, turning your skin orange.

Dr. Melissa Piliang, a dermatologist with the Cleveland Clinic, previously spoke about the condition, confirming that overdoing it on beta-carotene can give your skin a noticeable orange hue.

“Carotenemia is pretty uncommon, but we probably see one or two cases yearly,” she said.

According to Dr. Piliang, the effect doesn’t take years to appear.

“You would need to eat about 20 to 50 milligrams of beta-carotene per day for a few weeks to raise your levels enough to see skin discoloration,” she explained.

To put that in perspective, one medium carrot contains about 4 milligrams of beta-carotene. So, if someone consumes 10 carrots daily for a few weeks, that’s more than enough to cause a color shift.

Getty Stock Image

Luckily, the condition is entirely harmless and reversible. There’s no long-term damage, and no medical intervention is usually required. The fix is simple: eat fewer carrots (or at least scale back a bit).

Dr. Piliang also mentioned that small children might be more likely to develop the condition, especially those eating lots of orange pureed baby foods like squash and carrots. But again, there’s no health risk involved.

“There is no risk or danger to having it,” she said. “It just might lead to some strange looks or Reddit fame.”Reddit

Don’t worry; eating a handful of carrots daily won’t suddenly give you a bright-orange complexion. Carrots are packed with beta-carotene, the pigment that can tint your skin if you overdo it, but you’d have to consume an extraordinary amount before anyone notices.

If you look a little more pumpkin than person, balance out your menu: add some leafy greens, switch to yellow peppers or sweet potatoes, and your natural skin tone will reappear before you know it.

Nutrition Insights

Dr. Michael Greger, renowned nutritionist and founder of NutritionFacts.org, explains that the phenomenon of carotenemia, characterized by an orange tint in the skin, can occur when one consumes excessive amounts of beta-carotene found in carrots and other vegetables. While carrots are rich in vitamins and antioxidants, moderation is key. Dr. Greger emphasizes that a balanced diet filled with a variety of fruits and vegetables is crucial for overall health.

He advises individuals to aim for a rainbow of produce rather than focusing solely on one food group. This approach not only prevents potential side effects but also ensures a more comprehensive nutrient intake.

Dr. Josh Axe, a well-known chiropractor and nutrition expert, highlights the importance of understanding dietary balance. He suggests that while carrots offer numerous health benefits, including improved vision and skin health, consuming too many can lead to carotenemia, as seen in the case of the woman in the article. Dr. Axe encourages individuals to diversify their vegetable intake to avoid such an outcome.

Incorporating a variety of vegetables like leafy greens, cruciferous veggies, and colorful peppers can enhance nutrient absorption and overall health. He believes that this balanced approach can help individuals enjoy the benefits of carrots without the unintended side effects.

The situation highlighted in the article serves as a valuable lesson about dietary awareness. It's essential to remember that while certain foods like carrots are nutritious, balance is fundamental in any diet. Experts, including Dr. Michael Greger and Dr. Josh Axe, emphasize that variety in food choices not only optimizes health but also minimizes risks associated with overconsumption.

In conclusion, integrating a wide range of colorful fruits and vegetables into daily meals is a practical way to ensure comprehensive nutrient intake while preventing issues like carotenemia. Making mindful dietary choices can lead to a healthier lifestyle overall.