Red hair pigment protects cells from dietary stress

Orange pigment, found in red hair and feathers, may protect cells from dietary stress. New research on zebra finches suggests this pigment, pheomelanin, can bind excess cysteine, an amino acid that can cause cellular damage. This offers a new explanation for its evolutionary persistence. The findings could impact our understanding of pigment-related health risks, like melanoma, suggesting diet and metabolism play a role. Human studies are planned.