Ah, the summer. It's filled with happy people making their way to the beach, the park, and participating in outdoor activities. Quite often, you're out in the sun either sweating it out or relaxing by the pool. No matter what, the sun's rays are hitting your skin!
The Huffington Post lists six foods that protect you from the sun.
Omega-3-rich fish, which has anti-inflammatory powers, may prevent some types of skin cancer. Red and orange fruits and veggies aid in protection against some UV-induced skin irritations like erythema. Dark chocolate has flavanoids, which may improve the skin’s ability to protect against a few types of skin damage, including UV-induced issues like sun burns. Cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, kale and cauliflower are chock full of essential antioxidants. Green and black teas, which some studies found to prevent non-melanoma skin cancer, are also on the list. Studies also found that eating greens assisted in preventing the reappearance of skin cancer.
In addition, Women's Health provides us with a few more foods that help us play in the sun a bit longer, such as tomatoes.
According to a recent study published in the Journal of British Dermatology, 20 healthy women, ages 21 to 47, who ate a quarter cup (or four tablespoons) of tomato paste in olive oil every day for three months were more protected against sunburn than those who consumed olive oil alone, says Women's Health. Lycopene—the same good stuff found in tomatoes—can decrease your chance of looking like a lobster, says Brooke Joanna Benlifer, R.D., who specializes in nutrition for cancer prevention. High in vitamin C, these three fruits are fully equipped to help block the development of cancer cells. Vitamin C is great for helping kill off free radicals that your body produces in response to the cellular damaged caused by exposure to sunlight, says Tara Gidus, R.D., team dietitian for the Orlando Magic.