Fake tan could be making you fat
A chemical used in fake tanning lotions could lead to obesity, according to a new study.
The research discovered that those exposed to phthalates, colourless man-made substances, which can be found in plastics, cosmetics and toys, were more prone to weight gain.
And subjects with even 'modest' levels of the substance in their bloodstream were twice as likely to develop diabetes.
The researchers analysed data from 1,000 people aged over 70, of which 114 developed diabetes.
After taking into account factors that are known to cause type 2 diabetes, including obesity, smoking and high cholesterol, they found people with higher levels of phthalates in their blood were more likely to develop diabetes.
The findings were published in the journal Diabetes Care.
Monica Lind, of Sweden’s Uppsala University, said: “Those pollutants containing phthalates are making people obese and now we find they could get diabetes.
“Many are used in body products, like face creams, fake tan, make-up and perfumes.”
Tagged in Health fake tan Diabetes Obesity University