The genetics behind red hair<\/a> and fair skin was studied by researchers from Harvard Medical School, who examined 10,000 years’ worth of DNA samples from nearly 16,000 humans. They found that redheads benefited from natural selection over thousands of years \u2014 and the very same genetics that cause red hair and fair skin come with other traits, in results published by Nature<\/a> on Wednesday, April 15, 2026.<\/p>\n Stock image of a redheaded woman brushing her hair According to the study, more than 60% of the DNA examined had immunity to HIV infection<\/a>, resistance to leprosy<\/a>, a lower risk of arthritis<\/a> or alcoholism<\/a> and increased resistance to bacterial or viral infections. They also had a lower chance of male-pattern baldness.<\/p>\n A previous study, first published<\/a> in June 2020, uncovered that those with red hair were more efficient at making vitamin D \u2014 an advantage in less sunny climates.<\/p>\n “Perhaps having red hair was beneficial 4,000 years ago, or perhaps it came along for the ride with a more important trait,” the Harvard Medical School<\/a> explained in a press release shared on Wednesday.<\/p>\n However, redheads were at a higher risk of Crohn’s disease<\/a> and celiac disease<\/a> \u2014 possibly because the selection sample dovetails with the advent of wheat farming, as those disorders are characterized by the immune system reacting to gluten, a protein in wheat.<\/p>\n Stock image of a redheaded woman in the sun![\"Stock](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/2fbee668b487b0ab253cc45df63549d1.jpeg\"\/)
<\/p>\n
Credit: Getty<\/p>\n![\"Stock](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/61465e5a6e1f6b5550af6328e2a7066d.jpeg\"\/)
<\/p>\n
Credit: Getty<\/p>\n