Sun Protection from the Inside Out!

Hello, beauties!

Since we’re heading into the summer months, I wanted to write about something that’s very close to my heart: healthy sun protection! Yes, we do sell a natural sunscreen (which you can buy here!), but there are more ways to help yourself achieve that irresistible sunkissed look without sacrificing your skin’s health.

An important part of protecting yourself, as I’ve said many times before, is by considering what we fuel our bodies with. It may not seem like the most obvious first step in your sun protection routine, but by considering the foods we consume, we are able to help fortify our skin in even greater ways than simple sunscreen alone. 

Summer Sun + Your Skin

When then the summer sun is shining, I spend as much time outside enjoying it as I can. Don’t we all? The good news is that health experts now recommend 10-30 minutes of direct sunlight — without sunblock or protective clothing — every day. I absolutely recommend getting your daily dose of vitamin D this way!

Too much sun exposure, however, can be a serious problem. Overexposure to the sun will accelerate premature aging and is the primary cause of skin cancer. The World Health Organization reports that one out of every three cancer diagnoses is skin cancer, making it the leading form of cancer globally. In short, skin cancer is nothing to be trifled with, and neither is the proper use of preventative sun protection. 

Turning into a tomato is not only a bad look, but it can also seriously impact your skin - and overall - health. So why not take some practical steps toward keeping yourself healthy from the inside out?

Food Can Fortify Your Skin

Many foods offer benefits that increase your skin’s resiliency, and may even act as a form of natural sunscreen. Though there’s no substitute for a good sunblock over the course of summer, these foods can help your body protect itself from skin damage and ultimately cancer. Think of these foods as a shot in the arm that will decrease the dire effects of skin health issues related to overexposure to intense UV rays. 

By consuming foods that are high in antioxidants — compounds protect your body from free radical damage — you will be doing more than lowering your risk of heart disease or diabetes. Antioxidants hance the photoprotective qualities of your skin, which is the biochemical process that helps organisms cope with molecular damage caused by sunlight. They prevent oxidative damage from the sun, and they reduce inflammation of your skin cells. To put it simply, antioxidants turbocharge your skin’s ability to fortify against sun damage in the first place. 

According to a 2001 study, antioxidants play an important role in protecting your skin from sun damage, by acting as a form of natural sunscreen. When applied topically, vitamin C was shown to destroy all free radicals that it came into contact with. What does this mean for you and I? Adding antioxidants to our daily routine - whether through diet or supplementation - should be a focus moving forward.

Bearing that in mind, read on to learn more about the 10 most antioxidant-packed foods you can add to your diet today, according to the Food Revolution Network.

10 Foods That Promote Sun Protection

1) Grapes and Grape Seed: Sixty to seventy percent of the polyphenols in grapes are in their seeds. Grapes contain a unique type of polyphenol called procyanidin, which may have cancer-preventing properties. Studies have shown the ability of grape seed proanthocyanidins to attack melanoma cells, and lab studies have shown their effectiveness in targeting oral squamous cell carcinoma. Research suggests that grapes and grape seed extracts could offer sun protection by reducing the effects of UV rays on skin.

2) Garlic and Onions: Garlic and onions are part of the Allium family of vegetables. Their oils have been shown to slow skin cancer and reduce tumors in mice. The beneficial effect of alliums on skin cancer and other diseases is largely attributed to their organosulfur compounds.

3) Pomegranate: Research shows promise for the use of pomegranate extract, oil, and juice to prevent UVB-induced skin cancer. Even when mice were fed water containing pomegranate fruit extract, they experienced a reduced risk for UVB-induced skin cancer as well as lessened tumor growth. For more on the use of pomegranate to fight cancer, click here.

4) Green Tea: One major polyphenol in tea is EGCG, which has been shown to protect skin against UV radiation effects. A 2007 population study found that drinking one cup (or more) of tea per day for at least one month reduced risk for basal cell carcinoma. This has also been shown in animal studies when mice were fed green tea. Green tea may have the ability to boost DNA repair, preventing non-melanoma skin cancers. Matcha green tea is especially potent.

5) Soy Beans: Soy foods are rich in compounds called isoflavones, which bind to estrogen receptors in your skin and may reduce wrinkles. They also improve skin elasticity, increase collagen synthesis, and have an overall skin protective effect. However, when consuming soy and soy products, choose organic soy to avoid harmful GMOs.

6) Mushrooms: The Chaga mushroom has been studied for its ability to suppress tumor growth in mice, and its extract has been shown to cause melanoma cell death in mice. Some research suggests that Chaga mushroom extract has promising potential in cancer treatment. Find out more about the health benefits of mushrooms here.

7) Turmeric: One of the oldest Ayurvedic spices, turmeric has many health benefits. Its main active ingredient is curcumin, which has been widely studied for cancer prevention. Turmeric and curcumin have been shown to significantly reduce cancerous skin lesions and inhibit cancer cell signaling. One study showed that topical and oral curcumin were equally effective at slowing skin cancer tumor growth in mice. Find out about 600 reasons why turmeric could be the world’s most important herb, here.

8) Dark Green Leafy Vegetables: A high intake of green leafy vegetables — such as kale, spinach, collard greens, and swiss chard — may reduce skin cancer risk. Research suggests this protective effect has to do with their lutein and beta carotene content. A 2007 study also found that a diet high in fruits and vegetables, like dark leafy greens, reduced risk of squamous cell carcinoma — whereas a diet high in fat and meat increased risk.

9) Ginger: Ginger is effective at slowing tumor growth and killing skin cancer cells, while fresh ginger juice has been shown to treat skin burns and lesions in lab, animal, and epidemiological studies. And gingerol, a chemical compound found in fresh ginger, has been shown to block the growth of skin cancer cells.

10) Milk Thistle Seed: Milk thistle compounds applied to the skin of mice exposed to UVB radiation prevents the development of skin cancer. What’s interesting about this is that protective effects were seen when the milk thistle was applied both before and after UVB exposure. This suggests that it actually blocks cancer pathways and doesn’t just act like sunscreen. Another similar study found that skin tumor growth was slowed when mice were fed silymarin, a phytochemical found in milk thistle.

So what do you think: were there a few foods covered that you’d be happy to add to your shopping list? More likely than not, there are already a few in your pantry today; And that’s good news for your skin!