It’s all about looks! Attractive people have better immune systems, study of blood tests finds
- Traits linked to attractiveness may be signs the body is better at fighting infection
- Researchers believe we may be drawn to such looks because our brains seek out healthy partners
- Scientists photographed 152 young adults without make-up and with neutral expressions
- Then 492 people in an online survey were asked to rate their attractiveness
- Men judged as more attractive by women had more effective ‘natural killer’ cells which can destroy virus-infected cells in the body
Beauty may not be only skin deep as it seems good-looking people appear to have a better immune system.
Traits traditionally linked to attractiveness, such as a symmetrical face and bright eyes, may be signs the body is better at fighting infection, a study of blood tests has found.
Researchers believe we may be drawn to such looks because our brains are hardwired to seek out healthy partners.
Traits traditionally linked to attractiveness, such as a symmetrical face and bright eyes, may be signs the body is better at fighting infection, a study of blood tests has found (stock image)
Summer Mengelkoch, who led the study at Texas Christian University, said: ‘People who go out to a bar looking to talk to someone attractive are often dismissed as being shallow and told, ‘It is not all about looks’.
But they are really just following their instincts to find a high-quality mate.’
The study of 152 men and women was published in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B.
Scientists photographed 152 young adults without make-up and with neutral expressions. Then 492 people in an online survey were asked to rate their attractiveness.
The most handsome men and beautiful women – according to those of the opposite sex who rated 25 pictures each for the survey – were found to have higher rates of phagocytosis.
Scientists photographed 152 young adults without make-up and with neutral expressions. Then 492 people in an online survey were asked to rate their attractiveness (stock image)
This is the process by which white blood cells ‘eat’ and destroy bacteria before it can make someone ill.
Men judged as more attractive by women had more effective ‘natural killer’ cells which can destroy virus-infected cells in the body, so could help to fight off coronavirus.
It has long been suggested that good-looking people are healthier. Those with symmetrical faces are unlikely to have had developmental problems in the womb or during childhood.
Clear skin and bright, wide eyes indicate good health, because ill people’s eyes tend to become narrower and darker, some experts suggest. And the importance of red lips and rosy cheeks might explain why women wear make-up.
Miss Mengelkoch said: ‘With modern medicine, infections are not as deadly as they used to be, so perhaps it’s okay if people lower their standards and start to give people who are less attractive a shot.’