The best way for women to improve the quality and attractiveness of their skin is to eat fresh fruit and vegetables.

That's according to a new research, which found that women who consume more fresh produce reportedly have a healthier and more attractive glow than those who don’t.

Achieving a healthy sun-kissed tan is the reason why many women head to the beach in the good weather. But a new study suggests that eating the recommended five-a-day of fruit and vegetables is likely to bring a much more attractive glow than sitting out in the sun.

Carotenoids – a type of pigment found in carrots, sweet potatoes, dark leafy greens and tomatoes, is credited with helping to protect against cancer. But it can also boost one's appearance and improve skin tone, experts have found.

The most prominent carotenoids that improved skin tones were beta-carotenes and lycopenes. Fruits and vegetables containing these anti-oxidants are:

Carrot
Mango
Sweet Potato
Pumpkin
Red & Yellow Capsicum (pepper)
Tomato
Watermelon
Pink Grapefruit
Apricots
Peaches
Spinach
Papaya
Guava

Researchers in a joint Scottish and Australian study believe that vanity may prove the most persuasive argument yet to eat a healthy diet, as the improvement to women’s skin tone and color described in the study could help make them more attractive to the opposite sex.

"Recent evidence has shown that young women are motivated to change their health behaviors based on improving their appearance or looking good rather than health concerns, which are more important amongst older females, 36 to 50 years old,' the researchers said.

"Interventions that focus on appearance could be a novel way of motivating young women to improve dietary intake, including fruit and vegetable intakes."

The red and yellow pigments found in bright fruit and vegetables increase skin yellowness while tanning makes skin turn brown.

The researchers suggest that the glow from fruit and vegetables sends a signal of general health to potential mates and increases attractiveness.