Did you know that there are foods that fight sunburn? If you are anything like me, you are almost guaranteed to get burnt at least once a year. With skin this pale, even factor 50 has a challenge to keep me protected, and I’ve got an impressive array of sun hats. Feeling the burn? Try adding some of these foods to your diet, and you’ll have an extra line of defense against lobster skin and that damn itch!
1 Berries
Yep, berries are one of the foods that fight sunburn – is there anything these fruity wonders can’t do?! Blueberries and raspberries, in particular, contain high levels of ellagic acid which protects the skin from sun damage. Strawberries are high in vitamin C, which also protects the skin. Add a few to your diet however you can – they make great snacks, or icecream toppings!
Frequently asked questions
2 Lovage
I’ll be honest, I hadn’t heard of this either. It looks a lot like celery, though, and it’s leaves are often used in salads. Lovage is absolutely packed with quercitrin, a flavonoid which has proven to reduce UVB skin damage in clinical trials. If you can’t find it at your local supermarket, try searching a farmers market. It’s worth the hunt!
3 Citrus Fruits
Fruits such as lemons, oranges and limes are packed with vitamin C, which is a natural skin protector, as well as limonene, a nutrient that is supposed to rehydrate and refresh the skin. Try to eat at least one piece of citrus fruit a day, and you’ll soon see the difference in your skin.
4 Green Tea
Green tea is already well known for its disease preventing properties, but that’s not all it’s good for. The catechins in green tea have also been proven to reduce the inflammation of sunburn, making it less painful and heal quicker, as well as reducing long term UV damage. Definitely drink a cup a day!
5 Red Grapes
Just like citrus fruits, red grapes are packed with quercitrin. Red grapes are super easy to fit into your diet, too – carry a few around in your handbag for when you need a snack, or try freezing a few for a fruity treat when it’s hot.
6 Tomatoes
A recent German study found that people who ate a ¼ cup of tomato paste and 2 teaspoons of olive oil every night for 10 weeks had 35% less skin reddening than those who didn’t follow the diet. Tomatoes are also high in lycopene, a carotenoid that has been linked with amazing skin protection properties. Having a few more tomatoe-y meals is definitely worthwhile!
7 Pomegranates
A study from way back in 2006 found that pomegranate extract protected sunburns if taken orally for four weeks – and a recent repeat has backed it up. Not only will the pomegranate soothe and heal the actual sunburn, but it’ll prevent the skin from becoming damaged, reducing the chances of you burning again. It’s one of the best foods that fight sunburn!
I’m definitely adding some of these foods that fight sunburn into my lifestyle – not only will it soothe sunburn and prevent against reoccurrence, but all this skin-boosting goodness can only mean great things for my complexion, right!? Have you found a great way to soothe sunburn? Let me know!
