Food, Skin and Sun!

Can food protect your skin from the sun? The answer is yes! Find out what foods here

Protect your skin through foods! Summer is in full swing and we’re all looking for ways to enjoy the outdoors, and get a small amount of sun for our dose of vitamin D – but at the same time protect our skin. Here are SupermarketGuru’s tips for protecting your skin during the summer months (and year round) with foods.

What to shop for? Vitamin C rich foods, especially strawberries can help keep your skin glowing and bright! Vitamin C is an important building block for collagen, which supports the underlying structure of your skin. Just 1 cup of delicious strawberries contains over 100 percent of your daily vitamin C recommendation. Other vitamin C rich foods include: bell peppers, broccoli, pineapple, kiwis, kale, oranges, and other fruits and vegetables. 

Another food that helps protect against UV damage is soy, so grab your self a bag of edamame for a great beauty snack or to top a salad. Rich in isoflavones, edamame and other soy foods will not only work to protect against UV light damage, but also boost collagen, helping to keep skin wrinkle free! 

Other foods that help protect against sun damage? Think red (no not a sunburn!) choosing red foods like tomatoes, especially cooked, provide lycopene which has demonstrated effects in protecting skin from sunburn. 

What do onions, apples, sage, parsley and citrus have in common? Quercetin, of course, which is an antioxidant that provides some protection from the "burning" UVB rays. Quercetin also acts like an antihistamine and an anti-inflammatory, which could keep skin irritation at bay. 

What else is important for glowing skin? Omega-3 fatty acids of course! Great sources include, walnuts, flax seeds, chia seeds, sardines, and salmon. Getting plenty of essential fatty acids help keep our cells communicating properly as well as making sure our skin is hydrated and smooth. 

Stay hydrated! Make sure you get plenty of water. Skin cells contain mostly water, and if you're dehydrated, skin can look and feel dry. Water with fresh squeezed lemon, and herbal tea are two great choices to stay hydrated. 

Another great beverage is green tea. It’s rich in antioxidants (i.e. EGCG) that work to decrease inflammation and protect cell membranes. Some studies have demonstrated that tea may also reduce the damage of sunburns and overexposure to ultraviolet light. 

In general choosing a variety of seasonal fruits and vegetables, whole grains and legumes, lean meats and cold water fish will help keep your skin protected and radiant from the inside out!