How to eat your sunscreen
Posted on Jun 11th 2007 7:05AM by Maggie VinkFiled Under: Alternative & Green Health, Nutrition & Supplements
So ... no. You don't want to chug-a-lug your bottle of SPF (although some of the coconut-scented stuff smells kind of yummy), but you actually can add skin protection by eating certain foods. While it doesn't replace the use of a high-SPF sunscreen, certain nutrients have been shown to help block ultraviolet (UV) sunlight.
- Studies show that carotenoids, found in red, yellow, and orange fruits and vegetables, have reduced sunburn in humans. Good choices include pumpkin, red bell peppers, butternut squash, carrots, tomatoes, sweet potatoes, and cantaloupe.
- Perillyl alcohol found in tart cherries and peppermint leaves halted cancer formation in a study where human cells were placed under intense UV light.
- Lutein and xeoxanthin found in spinach, kale, chicory, collard greens, lettuce, and green peas stopped UV-induced cell growth in animals.
- The antioxidants found in green tea prevented DNA damage to skin cells exposed to light at a University of Wisconsin-Madison study.
- Limonene, found in oranges, limes, and lemons, was found to reduce skin cancer risk by 34% in a University of Arizona study.
- Fish oils protect against sunburn and DNA changes. Good sources include wild salmon, tilapia, and bay scallops.
