According to experts, certain foods can provide your body with natural sun protection.
Foods that can protect you naturally helium they are clearly not a substitute for traditional face and body sunscreens.
However, eating certain nutrient-dense foods regularly can provide an extra layer of safety that can help you avoid sunburn, experts say.
1. Tomato
Research supports that tomatoes may provide sun protection benefits. For example, a study British Journal of Dermatology A study focusing on the benefits of tomato consumption based on two key nutrients, lycopene and lutein, concluded that the nutrients significantly increase the skin’s protection against the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays.
Foods rich in lycopene and lutein, such as tomatoes (whole or pureed), are one way to improve sun protection.
2. Watermelon
One of the main sources of lycopene is summer watermelon. According to one study, tomatoes have about 40 percent more lycopene.
Watermelon has the added benefit of being more hydrating than most fruits, making it ideal for healthy hydrated skin.
3. Grapes
Some evidence suggests that grapes may have photoprotective effects that help prevent sunburn.
In one Education from 2021 Researchers from the department of dermatology at the University of Alabama in Birmingham found that those who ate grapes every day for 14 days made their skin more resistant to the sun.\
Although the study was small and more research is needed, grapes have many other benefits, so eating more won’t hurt. The powder used in the study was equivalent to about 2¼ cups of grapes per day.
Grapes are also rich in polyphenols, a substance that reduces the effects of ultraviolet rays as it reduces dead skin cells and has antioxidant effects and suppresses inflammation.
4. Herbs
Other antioxidant foods that can help with natural sun protection are certain herbs and spices.
Herbs like oregano are concentrated sources of antioxidants and can protect against sun damage.
5. Green tea
Green tea may also have a photoprotective effect. One study found that men and women who drank about five cups of green tea a day had a lower risk of skin cancer than those who drank less or none at all.
The plant compounds in green tea may have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.
6. Coffee
A study Journal of the National Cancer Institute found an association between high coffee consumption and lower rates of malignant melanoma.
7. Cocoa
Researchers gave 24 women a highly concentrated cocoa-based drink for 12 weeks and found they had less skin damage from UV radiation.
The study found that sun protection from cocoa flavanols — more plant compounds with health benefits — was comparable to taking beta-carotene supplements or eating lycopene-rich foods like tomatoes.