The Story Behind the Orange Hue
For many who grew up in the 1990s, the idea that Sunny D could turn your skin orange is a deeply ingrained part of pop culture. The rumor, however, is based on a real and well-documented event. In 1999, a doctor in North Wales reported on a four-year-old patient who had developed a yellowish-orange skin tint. After reviewing her diet, the cause was linked to the massive quantities of Sunny D she was consuming daily—approximately 1.5 liters. The culprit wasn't a magic ingredient but a naturally occurring pigment known as beta-carotene, which the product contained at the time to enhance its orange color.
The medical condition caused by an excess of carotene in the diet is called carotenemia. It's a benign and reversible condition where the over-consumption of carotene-rich foods or drinks causes the pigment to be deposited in the subcutaneous layer of the skin. This gives the skin a yellowy-orange appearance, especially noticeable on the palms, soles, knees, and around the nose. The manufacturer, Procter & Gamble, confirmed the high consumption was the cause and compared the effect to drinking too much carrot juice.
Carotenemia vs. Jaundice: What's the Difference?
It is crucial to differentiate the harmless effects of carotenemia from the more serious condition of jaundice. Though both can cause skin yellowing, their causes and symptoms are very different. Here is a comparison to clarify:
| Feature | Carotenemia (caused by excess carotene) | Jaundice (caused by excess bilirubin) |
|---|---|---|
| Cause | Excessive intake of carotenoid-rich foods (e.g., carrots, pumpkin) or supplements. | Buildup of bilirubin due to liver disease, bile duct issues, or red blood cell breakdown. |
| Skin Color | Yellow-orange, often concentrated on palms, soles, and face. | Yellow, affecting the entire body. |
| Eye Color | The sclera (whites of the eyes) remain white. | The sclera turn yellow. |
| Associated Symptoms | Typically asymptomatic and harmless. | Can be accompanied by fever, fatigue, itching, dark urine, and pale stools. |
| Treatment | Reducing intake of carotene-rich foods. | Addresses the underlying medical condition. |
The Reformulation of SunnyD
Following the 1999 media storm and subsequent sales drop, the brand reformulated its product. The new version, released in 2003, and subsequent reformulations in the UK and US, changed the coloring agents. Today's SunnyD uses food-safe artificial colors, such as Yellow #5 and Yellow #6, instead of beta-carotene. This change means that the original cause of the skin discoloration is no longer present in the modern recipe, effectively ending the possibility of carotenemia from consuming the drink. The incident serves as a cautionary tale about how much of a single item, even a natural compound, one can consume.
Can Other Foods Make You Orange?
Yes, Sunny D was not unique in its ability to contribute to carotenemia. Many everyday, healthy foods are rich in carotenoids and can cause the condition if consumed in extremely large quantities over a long period. Some common examples include:
- Carrots: The classic example, as they are packed with beta-carotene.
- Sweet Potatoes: A very concentrated source of beta-carotene.
- Pumpkin and Squash: Often used in pureed baby foods, making carotenemia more common in infants who consume them excessively.
- Spinach and Kale: The green color from chlorophyll masks the carotene, but it is still present in high amounts.
- Cantaloupe and Mangoes: These orange fruits are also high in carotenoids.
To put the required intake into perspective, experts note you would need to consume 20-50 milligrams of beta-carotene daily for several weeks to see skin discoloration. This is a very high amount that most people would never reach through a balanced diet. A single medium carrot contains about 4 milligrams, so eating ten carrots a day for a few weeks could cause it.
Conclusion: The Final Word on the Orange Myth
The urban legend that Sunny D can turn you orange is not entirely a myth but an exaggeration of a real, albeit rare, nutritional phenomenon. In the late 1990s, the product’s use of beta-carotene, combined with a child's excessive consumption, led to a harmless but visible case of carotenemia. The brand has since changed its formula, removing beta-carotene as a color additive and rendering the issue obsolete for modern consumers. Today, while other carotene-rich foods like carrots and sweet potatoes can cause the same discoloration if eaten in extreme quantities, moderate consumption of Sunny D will not have this effect. The '90s myth remains a powerful story about the surprising consequences of dietary excess.
Sources:
- BBC News: Soft drink turned toddler 'yellow'
- Yahoo! Life: Who Else Remembers When SunnyD Turned A Girl's Skin Orange?
- Cleveland Clinic: Can Eating Too Many Carrots Turn Your Skin Orange?
