Can Eating Too Much Squash Turn Your Skin Orange?

December 23, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the National Institutes of Health, excessive consumption of carotene-rich foods like squash can cause a harmless, reversible condition called carotenemia, where the skin develops a yellow-orange hue. While startling, this phenomenon is not dangerous and is a clear sign that your diet is extremely rich in certain plant pigments.

Quick Summary

Overconsumption of beta-carotene-rich foods, including squash, can cause a benign condition called carotenemia, resulting in yellow-orange skin discoloration. It is most noticeable on the palms, soles, and nose, is not harmful, and fades once dietary intake is moderated.

Key Points

Carotenemia is the cause: A benign condition where excess beta-carotene from foods like squash is stored under the skin, creating an orange hue.
Consumption must be excessive and prolonged: It requires a very high daily intake of beta-carotene over several weeks or months to see any discoloration.
Winter squash has more beta-carotene: Varieties like butternut and pumpkin are more potent sources than summer squash like zucchini.
Reversible and harmless: The orange tint will fade once dietary intake of carotene-rich foods is reduced, and it poses no health risk.
Not to be confused with jaundice: Carotenemia spares the whites of the eyes, whereas jaundice, a sign of liver issues, causes yellowing of the sclera.
Infants are more susceptible: Babies and toddlers eating high amounts of pureed orange vegetables have a higher risk of developing carotenemia.
Cooking increases absorption: The bioavailability of beta-carotene is higher in cooked or pureed foods, intensifying the effect.
Beta-carotene is beneficial in moderation: Despite the risk of skin discoloration, beta-carotene is a vital antioxidant and a source of vitamin A, supporting vision and immune health.

Understanding Carotenemia

Carotenemia is the medical term for the yellowish-orange skin discoloration that results from consuming excessive amounts of foods rich in beta-carotene. Beta-carotene is a carotenoid, a type of plant pigment responsible for the bright yellow, orange, and red colors in many fruits and vegetables. When your body takes in more beta-carotene than it can convert into vitamin A, the excess is stored in the fatty tissue just under the skin. This build-up of pigment eventually becomes visible, particularly in areas with thicker skin or a greater concentration of sweat glands.

Unlike jaundice, which indicates a liver problem and causes the whites of the eyes to turn yellow, carotenemia does not affect the whites of the eyes (the sclera). This key distinction helps differentiate between a benign dietary issue and a potentially serious medical condition.

Which Types of Squash Are Highest in Beta-Carotene?

Not all squash is created equal when it comes to beta-carotene content. Winter squashes, which have firm skin and are harvested when mature, generally contain much higher levels than their summer counterparts.

Butternut Squash: The vivid orange flesh is a huge indicator of its rich beta-carotene content. Cooking it also makes the carotene more bioavailable.
Acorn Squash: This variety is also a good source, contributing to its immune-boosting and antioxidant properties.
Pumpkin: A type of winter squash, pumpkin is famously loaded with beta-carotene, making it a frequent culprit in cases of carotenemia.

Summer squashes like zucchini and yellow squash contain much lower concentrations of beta-carotene, meaning they are far less likely to cause any skin discoloration, even in large quantities.

How Much Squash Does It Take to Turn Orange?

The amount of beta-carotene needed to cause skin discoloration varies by individual, but it typically requires sustained, high-level consumption over a period of weeks or months. For reference, health experts suggest that consuming 20 to 50 milligrams of beta-carotene per day for several weeks could lead to visible skin changes. Given that a single medium carrot contains about 4 milligrams, a person would need to consume a significant amount of beta-carotene-rich squash daily for a while before noticing a difference. Factors like body fat percentage, skin tone, and genetics can all influence how quickly or noticeably the pigment builds up. Infants and young children are particularly susceptible because their diets are often less varied and they consume a higher relative amount of pureed orange vegetables.

The Reversibility of Carotenemia

Reversing carotenemia is a simple process that involves reducing your intake of beta-carotene-rich foods. As your body uses and processes the stored beta-carotene, the orange tint will gradually fade over time. The process is not instant and can take several months, as the excess carotenoid is slowly excreted from the body. While adjusting your diet, it's not necessary to completely eliminate these nutritious foods, as they provide essential vitamins and antioxidants. A balanced diet with a variety of fruits and vegetables is the recommended approach to maintaining good health and preventing future skin discoloration.

Comparing Carotenemia vs. Jaundice


Feature	Carotenemia	Jaundice
Cause	Excessive intake of beta-carotene-rich foods like squash, carrots, or sweet potatoes.	Underlying medical condition, such as liver disease, gallbladder problems, or blood disorders, leading to a bilirubin build-up.
Skin Color	Yellow-orange pigmentation.	Yellowish skin discoloration.
Eye Color (Sclera)	Whites of the eyes remain unaffected (white).	Whites of the eyes turn yellow.
Affected Areas	Most noticeable on the palms of the hands, soles of the feet, and the nose.	Discoloration tends to be more uniform and includes mucous membranes.
Severity	A benign and harmless cosmetic condition.	Can be a sign of a serious underlying medical problem.
Treatment	Reduce intake of carotene-rich foods; resolves naturally over time.	Requires medical diagnosis and treatment of the root cause.

Beta-Carotene's Health Benefits

Despite the potential for skin discoloration, beta-carotene is an incredibly beneficial antioxidant. As a precursor to vitamin A, it supports critical bodily functions such as:

Improved Eye Health: Vitamin A is essential for good vision, including night vision.
Enhanced Immunity: It helps the body fight off infections and diseases.
Healthy Skin: It protects skin from oxidative damage caused by free radicals.

The goal is not to eliminate beta-carotene but to consume it in moderation as part of a varied and balanced diet.

Conclusion

Ultimately, the answer is yes, eating too much squash can turn your skin orange, but this condition is harmless and completely reversible. It is a sign of an extremely high intake of beta-carotene, a beneficial antioxidant found in abundance in colorful fruits and vegetables like squash. The resulting discoloration, known as carotenemia, fades on its own once your consumption of these foods is moderated. This phenomenon is not to be confused with jaundice, a more serious condition indicated by yellowing whites of the eyes. So, continue to enjoy the health benefits of squash, but remember that a balanced diet is key to both your health and skin tone.

Important Considerations

For Infants: Given their smaller size and high intake of pureed foods, babies are more prone to developing carotenemia. Parents should aim for dietary variety to prevent excessive beta-carotene build-up.
Jaundice vs. Carotenemia: Always see a doctor if skin discoloration is accompanied by yellowing of the eyes, as this points to a potentially serious medical condition.
Listen to Your Body: An orange tint to your skin is a signal that your body has reached its saturation point for storing beta-carotene. It's a cue to diversify your food choices.
Nutrient Absorption: Cooking and pureeing squash actually increases the bioavailability of beta-carotene, which is why it’s particularly common in infants and those with a high cooked vegetable intake.
Other Sources: Remember that squash isn't the only source of beta-carotene. Other culprits include carrots, sweet potatoes, and mangoes.

By being mindful of dietary intake and focusing on balance, you can reap the antioxidant benefits of beta-carotene without undergoing an unwanted change in skin color.

Reference to Cleveland Clinic regarding beta-carotene benefits.

Frequently Asked Questions

The primary cause is a condition called carotenemia, which occurs when you consume excessive amounts of beta-carotene, a plant pigment found in squash and other vegetables. The excess pigment is stored in fat cells under the skin, leading to a yellow-orange hue.

No, it is not dangerous. Carotenemia is a completely benign and harmless condition. It is a cosmetic issue that simply indicates a very high intake of beta-carotene and does not lead to any serious health complications.

The skin discoloration will fade gradually once you reduce your intake of carotene-rich foods. The process can take several weeks to a few months, as the body slowly uses and excretes the stored pigment.

A key difference is that carotenemia does not affect the whites of the eyes (the sclera), which will remain white. If your eyes are also yellow, it could be a sign of jaundice, a more serious condition related to liver problems. Consult a doctor if you see yellowing in your eyes.

Besides squash, other foods rich in beta-carotene include carrots, sweet potatoes, pumpkins, mangoes, cantaloupe, and dark leafy green vegetables like kale and spinach.

Yes, infants and toddlers are particularly prone to developing carotenemia. This is because their diets often contain large quantities of pureed orange vegetables, and their smaller bodies can show the effects of concentrated intake more readily.

No, you don't need to completely stop. The treatment is simply to reduce your intake of carotene-rich foods. Maintaining a balanced diet with a variety of fruits and vegetables is important for overall health.