7 Foods That Act As Natural Sunscreen

If you are someone who restrains from using chemical based/artificial sunscreens for some or the other reasons but is still worried about skin tanning and burns, then we have a solution. Let's just tell you that there are other several ways for protecting that beautiful glow. You can naturally, not artificially, help your skin breath, radiate and increase its sun tolerance. 

Focusing on what would make you tan less has to do with incorporating certain nutrients that decrease the chances of further skin damage. We all know we can bring in a lot of difference by altering the diet for good.

How Does This Work?

Sunburn is a kind of inflammation which can be lowered using a healthy and balanced diet (and not an anti-inflammatory one). But let's just clarify that to some extent damage would still happen if you are exposed to the sun for longer durations. Still, a healthy nutritional regime helps you boost your natural defense mechanism against the damage done by the great star of our solar system.

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Nutrients That Develop Skin's Sun Tolerance

You can increase the intake of:

1. Good saturated fats

2. Omega-3 fatty acids, and,

3. Antioxidants like lycopene, beta-carotene along with Vitamin E

And avoid foods like:

1. Sugary Items

2, Processed foods, and,

3. Vegetable oils

As it's always said, consume everything in moderation! There will be no fun if you can't savor those delicious ice cream candies.

So, What Is Important?

Your daily dose should include plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables. But certain ones are much beneficial if you incorporate them in your diet because they have the essential nutrients that can make you highly resistant to the sun's harmful rays. 

So here are seven best fruits, veggies, and other foods that act as natural sunblocks or sunscreens.

#1. Avocado

To your surprise, even avocados help in shielding the skin from damaging effects of the sun. Avocados contain healthy and protein-packed oils which contribute to reducing the damage done by environmental factors. It also makes for a great addition to your salads, sandwiches, and smoothies. You can consume one right out of the skin as well.

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#2. Tomato

Tomatoes are rich in lycopene so when they are consumed, they provide significant protection against any damage done by the sun. Lycopene is a plant-based protein that's also found in other such red foods to produce healing effects for the human skin.

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Apart from this, chili powder, watermelon, and grapefruit contain higher amounts of both lycopene and Vitamin E, making it a win-win situation for your skin!

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#3. Pomegranates

Pomegranates have been a part of the healing traditions dating back to the ancient Egypt! This exotic and delicious fruit is rich in antioxidants, helps prevent UVA & UVB-induced damage and also protects the skin from free radical damage. Simply drink pomegranate juice or pomegranate added to lemonade or combined with green tea!

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#4. Green Tea

So you can not only eat your sunscreen but also drink it. This magical fluid helps retain your skin's ability to guard itself against the damage done by UV radiations. When the UV exposure produces inflammation, green tea plummets the damaging effects on the skin. All thanks to catechin, an active antioxidant compound in green tea that initiates the whole process. But don't make it more than two cups a day. And you can also top it with strawberries for that added effect.

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#5. Omega-3 - Flaxseed

Flaxseed along with chia seeds (and even meaty items like salmon fish) make a great addition to your diet for reducing inflammation related to sunburns and tanning. Add them to salads or smoothies, or maybe sprinkle some on your bread or morning cereal. Both the items are powerhouses of Omega-3 and act as natural sunscreens to even protect your skin against cancer.

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#6. Leafy Greens

These may include spinach, lettuce, kale, Swiss chard, broccoli and Brussel sprouts to provide you with the excellence of antioxidants, folic acids, and other diverse vitamins. These not only prevent but even repair sun damage. And the best way of adding more greens to your diet is to sneak them into everything that you are already eating!

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#7. Citrus Fruits

These comprise of Vitamin C rich items like oranges, grapefruits, lemons, and limes. A continuing intake of Vitamin C combined with Vitamin E lowers the risk of potential sunburns. Vitamin C or citrus fruits contain antioxidants along with the preventive properties for reducing free-radical damage. You can use lemons or limes in your tea, or even use it with a nut butter sandwich.

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