Sunshine is very important for your body. Outside of foods rich in vitamin D, it is a great way to get natural vitamin D. The issue, as everyone now knows, is that too much sun can burn you and predispose you to skin cancer.
You can dress appropriately to minimize your exposure to the sun’s rays, but what if you want to bask in the glory of the sun? Commercial sunscreens are filled with potentially harmful chemicals, and natural sunscreens are not so effective. However, natural protection can also come from the foods that you eat.
The following is a list of foods that will boost your natural sun protection:
1. Citrus Fruit
Citrus fruits, such as oranges and lemons, are rich in vitamin C. Research indicates that long-term intake of vitamin C, together with vitamin E, can reduce your chances of getting a sunburn. Also, citrus fruits contain a substance called limonene. Limonene has been discovered to reduce your chance of getting skin cancer by 34 percent. Citrus fruits also contain antioxidants. These can help protect your cells from free-radical damage.
2. Strawberries
Strawberries are useful in two ways. On the one hand, you can eat them to get a good dose of antioxidants and vitamin C. On the other hand, you can mash them up and use them topically on your skin to reduce the sting of a sunburn. They contain tannins, substances that can help with reducing that stinging sensation that you get with a sunburn.
3. Carrots
Carrots contain a substance called beta-carotene. This substance can prevent you from getting skin damage from free radicals. This is particularly the case when carrots are combined with vitamin E.
4. Green Tea
Green tea contains a few substances that have benefits with respect to protecting you from sunburn’s effects. First of all, it contains catechins. These have disease-fighting properties and protect against sunburn inflammation and damage. Green tea also contains tannic acid. This can help alleviate the pain of sunburn. One more helpful thing that green tea contains is an antioxidant called EGCG. This substance can halt genetic damage in your skin cells. There are studies that indicate that all you need is a mere two cups a day of green tea to give you the benefits that you want.
5. Pomegranates
Pomegranates have been known to have healing properties since ancient times. They are rich in antioxidants. They also contain ellagic acid. This substance can protect your skin from UVA and UVB rays. There is research that shows that pomegranate extract can increase the SPF of sunscreen by 20 percent. It also boosts glutathione, an important antioxidant.
6. Almonds
Almonds are a great source of vitamin E. Vitamin E can protect your skin from the sun and help repair any damage. Almonds also contain quercetin. This substance protects against UV damage and the breakdown of your collagen. Research has actually shown that vitamin E reduces sunburn.
7. Red Grapes
The phytonutrients in red grapes can aid in halting the formation of reactive oxygen species in skin cells. These have been shown to cause damage from the sun. Grapes also contain polyphenols. These can help prevent skin cancer. Just like almonds, grapes contain quercetin.
8. Leafy Green Vegetables
Leafy green vegetables, such as spinach, are very rich in antioxidants. These have been shown to help prevent cell growth that is caused by exposure to UV light.
9. Tomatoes
Tomatoes are rich in a substance called lycopene. Lycopene is both a caretenoid and antioxidant. Processed tomatoes are actually even a better source of lycopene. You can use ketchup for this purpose. Studies have shown that people get less skin reddening and have more protection against sunburn after regularly consuming processed tomato products.
10. Watermelon
Besides being a tasty treat in the summertime, watermelon actually contains 40 percent more lycopene than tomatoes.
11. Turmeric
Turmeric is known as being a superstar in the arsenal of healing food substances. Laboratory studies suggest that turmeric can aid the protection of epidermal skin cells from damage caused by UB radiation.
12. Flax Seed
Flax seed is rich in omega 3 fatty acids. This substance can aid in protecting your skin from sunburn. It also will help prevent inflammation if you do happen to get sunburned. The National Institute of Health has stated that flaxseed oil can both protect the skin against UV rays and keep it moisturized.
Conclusion
Nowadays we know that the sun is both beneficial and harmful to your skin. The problem is that if you completely cover yourself up with clothing, you also will not receive the wonderful benefits of the sun. For this reason, try wearing some natural sunscreen and regularly eat the foods listed above. It is important to get enough sunlight to help your body get its requirements of vitamin D.
