Foods That Can Protect You From UV
By Sara Butler
Protecting your skin from the harmful UV rays of the sun should be a priority for everyone. It can cause damage to your skin that results in serious conditions such as skin cancer. If you slather on the sunscreen, then good for you. But you may want to take it one step further by adding a few of these foods to your diet to help give a little extra protection.
Grapes
Grapes contain a polyphenol that helps protect your skin from sunburn. They’ve been found in the lab to inhibit the formation of harmful compounds caused by UV radiation in the skin -- compounds that can cause skin cancer. Freeze your grapes for a cool summertime treat that your skin benefits from.
Citrus Fruits
Lemons, oranges, grapefruits, and limes are high in Vitamin C, which can help to reduce the chances of sunburn when eaten together with Vitamin E over the long term. Citrus fruits also contain limonene, which has been found in studies to help reduce the risk of skin cancer by 34 percent! Add this together with the skin protection of antioxidants and you’ve got a winning recipe!
Green Tea
Green tea helps to provide your body with catechins, which help to reduce inflammation and prevent diseases from long-term damage from UV radiation. Green tea also contains tannic acid, which helps to reduce pain from sunburns.
Pomegranates
Pomegranates have a long tradition of healing, dating all the way to ancient Egypt. These seeds are full of antioxidants and ellagic acid, which help protect your skin from the UV rays of the sun. They also contain glutathione, an antioxidant that protects your skin from free radical damage.
Almonds
If you’re looking for a great source of Vitamin E, then look no further than almonds! Vitamin E helps to repair and protect the skin from the rays of the sun. They also contain quercetin that protects your skin from UV damage and collagen breakdown.
Leafy Greens
You can’t go wrong with leafy greens for a variety of reasons and one of them just so happens to be that they’re an excellent source of antioxidants, specifically zeaxanthin and lutein. In animal studies, these antioxidants have been found to halt the growth of cells prompted by UV light.
Protect your skin from UV rays from the inside as well as the outside!
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Northbrook, Ill.