Delicious snacks that can help protect your skin from the sun!
October 19 2015 – Rudy Marquez
Sunscreen is a must for those who are out in the sun, whether one is enjoying the beach, being athletic, riding to work, or required by work to be outdoors. Besides using the wide range of sunscreen products in the market and using clothing, hats, and sunglasses to shield our skin from the damaging sun, there are actually foods we can add to our daily diets to strengthen and protect our skin from sun damage together with the use of sunscreen.
Cherries
Cherries have high contents of Vitamin C and Melatonin which can help shield our skin from UV rays and repair sun damage. The healersjournal.com reveals that “Melatonin is a powerful antioxidant that can cross cell membranes, cross the blood-brain barrier, and it plays a role in stimulating other antioxidants – this makes it a truly unique antioxidant. It is considered more powerful than vitamins C, E and A, because it is soluble in both fat and water and can enter cells that vitamins cannot. Antioxidants eliminate free radicals and in cases like melatonin and glutathione, antioxidants can also repair DNA.”
Any foods with high contents of Vitamin C can also be beneficial as it also helps reduce free radical damage caused by UV Rays. However, limes are an exception as for some reason they cause the skin to burn more easily. Reminder, skip that lime in the Corona when headed to the beach!
Watermelons
Watermelons contain high levels of Lycopene, an essential nutrient only found in certain red fruits or plants which can protect our skin from UVA & UVB rays and are known to have cancer fighting properties.
Not only is watermelon an awesome hydrator, this antioxidant actually helps to reduce our chances of getting burnt under the sun. Of course consuming lots of watermelon still cannot replace sunscreen, but fruits and veggies like watermelons, papayas, and tomatoes have high volumes of lycopene which is beneficial to skin protection against the sun. For more lycopene rich foods check here.
Sweet potatoes
A crucial component in sweet potatoes called beta-carotene is another powerful antioxidant that has natural sunscreen properties. It can even help reverse sun damage or sunburn. Other beta-crotene rich foods include carrots, papayas, potatoes, pumpkins, kale, spinach, etc. Who wants some more sweet potato fries? For more beta-carotene rich foods check here.
Almonds
Whether it’s sprinkled on salads, ice cream, or eaten alone, the Vitamin E in almonds is another amazing antioxidant that helps to protect our skin from sun damage. Avocados, Kale, Broccoli, Hazelnuts all are great sources of Vitamin E. For more Vitamin E rich foods check out this article.
