Preventing Sunburn through Diet

Most of us think sunburn / tanning happens when we step out into the sun without adeqaute protection in the form of sunscreens and hats. But we never look to our diet for protection.

Research has proven that we can make fun in the sun safer for us - through our food. In a study recently published in Nutrition Reviews, Dr. Shapira has shown that a diet rich in antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids, like the diet eaten in Mediterranean regions where skin cancer rates are extremely low, can help protect us from sun related skin damage.

Foods such olive oil, fish, yogurt, beans, whole grains and colorful fruits and vegetables help to fight the oxidizing effect of the sun. Further studies proved that these antioxidants, especially carotenoids -- fruit and vegetable pigments like red from tomatoes and watermelons and orange from carrots and pumpkins accumulate in the skin where they serve as a first line of protection.

As temperature and humidity get stronger, which aggravates the damaging effect of solar UV rays, it is increasingly difficult for sunscreen alone to protect effectively. So while covering up, slathering on the sunscreen, and avoiding the sun during peak hours are still important to prevent a burn, consider dietary changes too, to promote skin health.