Nature’s Sunscreens.

5 foods that will help protect your skin this summer.

Photo via pinterest.

POV; it’s a hot summer day and you are trying to soak up the sun and get a tan. Without using proper skin protection, you put yourself at risk of developing a sunburn, dark spots, and wrinkles. You may or may not be a sunscreen wearer (although you should be), but UV protection is more important now than ever as the UV rays get stronger by the year. Did you know that a suntan alone is a sign of skin damage? When exposed to UV rays our skin produces chemicals, such as melanin, in an effort to protect itself which in turn darkens our skin tone. Along with slathering on the SPF, there are some foods you can add into your diet this summer to help naturally protect your skin from sun damage. Below is a list of Mooi’s top 5 recommendations.

Blueberries.

My personal favourite berry, the blueberry, has powerful antioxidant properties to aid in fighting free radical damage that can be a result of sun exposure and stress. Not only can they help protect your skin from sun damage due to their antioxidant content, but they are also a high source of the very powerful antioxidant- Vitamin C, which is important for wrinkle prevention associated with sun exposure.

Watermelon.

A summer favourite, watermelon is not only delicious and refreshing but also a fantastic food to add into your diet for a little extra sun protection. Watermelons contain high amounts of lycopene (a plant nutrient with powerful antioxidant properties), which can absorb UVA and UVB rays. Regular consumption of watermelon is shown to have natural sunblock like effects on our skin.

ps. not a fan of watermelon? Tomatoes are also really high in lycopene, especially canned (Caesar anyone?).

Carotenes.

Beta Carotene is the red-orange pigment found in plant foods that gives them their rich colour. It is also a pre-cursor to Vitamin A, a powerful antioxidant that is essential for the health of our skin and is proven to provide natural sun protection after 10+ weeks of supplementation. Foods such as carrots, squash, leafy greens and sweet potato are all high in carotenes. Along with carotenes, leafy greens are also high in the antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin, both have been found to protect against sun damage, wrinkling, and even skin cancer.

Cauliflower.

Cauliflower one of the most versatile brassica vegetables, it also is a key food for protecting our skin from the sun. It is high in potent antioxidants that aid in fighting oxidative stress caused by free radical damage. Cauliflower also contains a high content of histidine, an alpha amino acid that stimulates the production of urocanic acid in the body, which in turn absorbs UV radiation.

Green Tea.

Among the plethora of health benefits associated with green tea consumption, its antioxidant properties are one of the most recognized. These antioxidant properties are shown to reduce skin damage caused from UVA light and protect against decrease of collagen production- which is what gives our skin its integrity and firmness. Green tea also contains the flavonoid EGCG which is shown to protect against tumours correlated with UV exposure. Having green tea, iced or hot, will give you additional hydration which is another essential for healthy skin.

The addition of any of these foods into your diet this summer will not only support the health and protection of your skin, but your whole body. We are a reflection of what we consume, so let’s make sure we are getting the best quality foods for glowing skin all year round.