The Secret of Attractive People's Appeal Revealed

Scientists from Texas Christian University have found that a person's physical attractiveness may be linked to the state of their immune system. Previous research has proven that people subconsciously gravitate toward partners with a pleasant smell associated with good health. The new study showed that appearance also plays an important role: the stronger the immunity, the more attractive the face appears.

In the first part of the experiment, 159 students provided blood samples and participated in a photo session without makeup or accessories. Specialists assessed the activity of their immune cells. In the second part, 492 participants ranked photos of the opposite sex according to attractiveness.

The results showed that people deemed most attractive had high levels of phagocytosis - the ability of immune cells to absorb harmful bacteria and viruses. Men also showed elevated levels of NK cells, which destroy infected and cancer cells. Interestingly, men preferred women with lower levels of NK cells, which, according to scientists, is related to hormonal background: high estrogen reduces NK cells but may also be a sign of reduced fertility.

Researchers note that classic signs of attractiveness - clear skin, defined cheekbones, bright eyes, and full lips - have historically been associated with health, and not by coincidence. The human brain is essentially "programmed" to seek a partner with a strong immune system.

"Attraction to beautiful people is not superficiality, but an evolutionary mechanism," explained lead study author Summer Mengelkoch in an interview with Daily Mail. However, she added that thanks to medical advances, partners can now be chosen not only by "biological signals" - the risk of deadly infections today is significantly lower than in the past.