Four Foods That Can Help Prevent Sunburns
I’m not smart. I went to the beach last week and got very sunburned. Yes, I DID wear 30 SPF sunscreen. I unfortunately did NOT read the side of one of my prescription bottles which says to say out of direct sunlight. Oops! I ended up with blotchy red patches on my legs. Not good!
Here in the Carolinas we are in the middle of an early heatwave, and Memorial Day weekend is a few days away. If you have plans to be at the lake, beach or Charlotte Motor Speedway this weekend, you’ll want to have some sunscreen on hand.
Before you rush out to overbuy sunscreen at CVS or Walgreens, you may want to hit the grocery store. I had no idea until today that there are food that can offer some natural protection from the sun.
According to specialists, a few foods that are in abundant supply in the summer are helpful against the sun’s UV rays. And the foods are good too!
1. Watermelon
Its high lycopene content can make your skin more photo-protective over time, acting like topical sunscreen. Lycopene is also an antioxidant that helps prevent sun damage from occurring, helping ward off skin cancer.
2. Tomatoes
Tomatoes also contain lycopene, although not as much as a serving of watermelon. Here in the South we love ‘mater sandwiches and they’re great in salad, pasta and more.
3. Carrots
Carrots contain beta carotene, which can make people less sensitive to the sun and less likely to burn.
4. Green Tea
Green tea and matcha are super high in antioxidants which help protect you from sun damage and skin cancer. Green tea is also one of those teas that taste great hot or iced, making it great for a hot summer day. There is also evidence that caffeine protects against sun damage, and green tea has a moderate amount of caffeine per serving.
Now, I wouldn’t run out and stay in the hot sun without sunscreen on. It’s always better to be safe than sorry. But I’d definitely try some of these foods and see if they help. Can’t hurt and they’re all yummy!
