According to researchers from the University of Nottingham, red colouring in male primates, birds and fish has long been associated with social dominance and mate selection but it was not been known whether this applied to humans.

To investigate this further, they carried out a study where women were allowed to manipulate the facial colour of computer pictures of men to make them as attractive, dominant or aggressive as possible.

“We have shown that increased redness enhances the appearance of dominance, aggression and attractiveness in men’s faces viewed by women,” the Independent quoted the researchers as saying.