Did you know you can guard your skin from the sun’s damaging rays totally naturally…with FOOD?

Did you know that lycopene is a key nutrient to protect your skin: It absorbs both UVA and UVB radiation and can make the skin more photo-protective over time, just like topical sunscreen would.

Here’s  5 sun-blocking foods to add to your summer diet:

Food #1: Watermelon
Its high lycopene content can make your skin more photo-protective over time, acting like topical sunscreen. Lycopene is also an antioxidant that helps prevent sun damage from occurring, helping ward off skin cancer.

Food #2: Tomatoes
Tomatoes also contain lycopene, although not as much as a serving of watermelon.Served raw or cooked into salsa or a  pasta sauce makes them a versatile ingredient to add to many summer dishes.

Food #3: Carrots
Carrots contain beta-carotene which can make people less sensitive to the sun and less likely to burn.

Food #4: Green Tea
Green tea and matcha are super high in antioxidants which help protect you from sun damage and skin cancer. Green tea is also one of those teas that taste great hot or iced, making it great for a hot summer day.  There is also evidence that caffeine protects against sun damage, and green tea has a moderate amount of caffeine per serving.

Food #5: Guava Fruit
Guava is high in both lycopene and other antioxidants, which protect you from sun damage and act as a natural sunscreen. It may be harder for you to find guava though; so rely on other summer staples when necessary. If you can find guava, it makes for a great juice or frozen treat.

Eat up, and don’t forget your sunscreen! 

Melinda:)