The hot summer is a great test for the human body, especially as sun protection is essential. Of course, diet is also an important aspect. So, which foods have extraordinary effects for sun protection? The hot season is here, and for girls who fear the sun, it's time to take action! Of course, besides applying sunscreen, we can also improve our skin through food. So, which foods can help us with sun protection? The editor has compiled five foods for you to choose from!
What to Eat for Summer Sun Protection
1. Tomato
Tomato is the richest food source of lycopene, which has strong antioxidant activity.
In addition to preventing UV absorption, lycopene can also prevent the damage to DNA and collagen. Tomatoes contain a lot of vitamin C, which can effectively help us whiten the skin, slow down skin aging, and inhibit the formation of various spots.
2. Edamame
The large amount of isoflavones, a plant compound, in edamame has a protective effect on skin collagen, so it's a good choice for women to eat more edamame for anti-aging.
Daily consumption of a certain amount of edamame can lower cholesterol and bad cholesterol levels in the blood. It can help prevent and treat obesity, hyperlipidemia, atherosclerosis, and coronary heart disease.
3. Lemon
Lemons are rich in vitamin C and can help resolve phlegm and stop coughs, promote saliva production, and strengthen the stomach. They are used for bronchitis, whooping cough, loss of appetite, vitamin deficiency, and summer heat-related thirst. They are the nemesis of "scurvy."
The abundant vitamin C can promote metabolism, delay aging, whiten and fade spots, tighten pores, and soften the stratum corneum, providing strong care for the skin.
4. Green Tea
Studies have shown that drinking more green tea can reduce the amount of peroxides in the skin caused by sun exposure, which leads to sunburn, sagging, and roughness, by about one-third. Tea contains powerful antioxidants called tea polyphenols, whose antioxidant capacity is higher than that of vitamins A, C, and E.
Green tea has the highest antioxidant activity, followed by semi-fermented oolong tea, and fully-fermented black tea has the lowest.
5. Carrot
Carrot is a crisp, tasty, and nutritious common vegetable, known as "little ginseng." Carrots are rich in nutrients such as carbohydrates, fats, volatile oils, carotene, vitamin A, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, anthocyanins, calcium, iron, etc. Carrots are also known as "skin food" and can moisturize the skin.
It contains beta-carotene, which can act as an antioxidant and whiten the skin, prevent the deposition of melanin, and remove excess keratin from the skin. It also contains vitamin E, which is essential for antioxidants.
How to Protect Yourself from the Sun in Summer
1. Do not wash your face with hot water after sun exposure
On a hot summer day, after being in the sun all day, we all know that cool water can shrink pores and cool down the skin, having a heat-relieving effect. If you use hot water, it will dilate the blood vessels instead, which may lead to sun spots, especially after outdoor sports.
2. Wear colorful T-shirts to block the sun
The sun protection ability of clothing first depends on the material, followed by the color. For example, the SPF value of cotton clothing is about 15 to 40; the SPF value of light-colored polyester clothing is about 7 to 10; and the SPF value of light-colored knitted clothing is about 4 to 9. Therefore, it's best to wear colorful cotton T-shirts in the summer, as their filtering effect on ultraviolet rays is better than that of white ones.
3. Avoid "photosensitive" vegetables
If your skin is prone to spots, it's best not to eat "photosensitive" vegetables like celery, coriander, and white radish during the height of summer, as eating them can make the skin more prone to developing spots. In the summer, you should eat more things that inhibit pigmentation, which can help whiten the skin, such as kiwis, tomatoes, and oranges.
4. Eat more foods rich in vitamin C
Many people know that vitamin C is known as the king of whitening and is very effective in inhibiting dark spots. For sun protection, you must eat more fruits containing vitamin C. In addition, fully consuming vitamin E, which prevents skin aging, can defend against ultraviolet rays. Vitamin A, which increases skin resistance, and calcium, which increases skin elasticity, can also be obtained from foods like tomatoes, lemons, and nuts.