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New research says that when a man is ill, they are attracted to less feminine faces

It's not the most flattering observation. But it seems a plain woman can look pretty – to a fellow who is feeling under the weather.

Women not blessed in the looks department can appear much more attractive when illness is rife.

A study found that men from countries with poor national health are less attracted to feminine faces than males from nations with high standards of health.

The researchers say that when surrounded by illness, men may look for a strong wife who is a good provider, rather than prettier one who is more fragile but also more fertile.

The scientists, from Finland, asked almost 1,800 men from 28 nations with diverse health conditions to rate the attractiveness of pairs of pictures.

The photos had been digitally altered to make the women's faces more or less feminine.

All countries were drawn to the prettier feminine faces – but those in the best health liked them the most.

The Japanese males most liked the feminine faces while the Nepalese men liked them the least, the Royal Society journal Biology Letters reports.

The University of Turku researchers said that women with more masculine faces may be better bets when times are tough. Alternatively, the testosterone-sapping effects of illness may alter men's tastes.

Last month a study found men find women who wear less make-up more attractive

Previous research has shown that women's preferences are also far from fixed.

When faced by financial worries, women favour fine-featured men over more macho males. However, health fears send them into the arms of alpha-males, likely because they are seen as providers of strong and healthy children.

Last month a study found men find women who wear less make-up more attractive. Although both sexes thought that lots of make-up was regarded as attractive, both men and women were found to prefer the natural look on women