Sun-blocking summer foods: With the summer season upon us and temperature soaring up comes the need to preserve our skin from the sun too. Jaya Jaya Myra, a mind-body wellness expert, addresses a few essential questions about sunscreen. Do you know that not every sunscreen is made equal? Jaya Jaya Myra says that while considering sunscreen usage, there are concerns around chemicals like oxybenzone because they may lead to cancer. But wait, the expert says there is a way to guard your skin naturally, too! She states that lycopene is a crucial nutrient to protect your skin. It absorbs UVB and UVA radiation, and over time just like topical sunscreen, it could make the skin more photoprotective.
Here are 5 superfoods that protect you from the damaging summer sun:
Green Tea
Matcha and green tea protect and help you from skin cancer and sun damage. Green tea is brimming with antioxidants, which taste great iced or hot. According to evidence, green tea contains moderate caffeine that protects against sun damage per serving. So have an iced matcha latte for a day with powerful antioxidants!
Guava
Guava is high in antioxidants and lycopene, acting as a natural sunscreen and protecting you from sun damage. Do you know that guava makes for a great frozen treat or a refreshing juice?
Watermelon
This refreshing, juicy summer fruit has a high lycopene content, making your skin more photo-protective over time. In addition, lycopene helps ward off skin cancer and prevent sun damage.
Tomatoes
Tomatoes contain lycopene too! It is a handy food that can be served raw or cooked with pasta sauce, salsa and much more!
Carrots
Do you know that carrots contain beta-carotene? It makes people less likely to burn and less sensitive to the sun.
P.S. Don’t forget your sunscreen along with these foods!
