As summer quietly approaches, people worried about tanning and sun spots begin to open their umbrellas, put on sunglasses, and carefully apply sunscreen before heading out, preparing to battle the powerful enemy—ultraviolet rays. In addition to thorough sun protection, internal conditioning is equally important. For this reason, Taiwan's "Common Health" magazine recommends six types of "sun protection" foods in its May issue, which are worth eating more of this summer.
One, eat high-vitamin C fruits daily. Vitamin C is the "eternal holy grail for beautiful skin." To have healthy, bright skin that is less prone to sunburn, almost every dermatologist will recommend eating 2-3 servings of high-vitamin C fruits daily. Guava, kiwi, strawberries, cherry tomatoes, or citrus fruits are all good choices.
Two, consume an appropriate amount of yellow and red fruits and vegetables. Red, orange-yellow fruits and vegetables, and dark green leafy vegetables, such as carrots, mangoes, tomatoes, papaya, and water spinach, contain large amounts of carotene and other phytochemicals, which help with antioxidant effects and enhance the skin's resistance.
"However, these foods should not be eaten in excess, as they can easily make the skin appear 'yellowish'," warns Dr. Hu Shuling, director of the dermatology department at Cathay General Hospital.
Three, eat soy products regularly. Isoflavones in soybeans are a type of plant-based estrogen that also has antioxidant properties, making them an indispensable food category for women to maintain a glossy and delicate complexion. Among soy products, tofu and soy milk (it's recommended not to add sugar) are better choices. Other processed soy products, such as dried tofu and soy skin, have much higher calorie counts than regular tofu. A 100-gram serving of traditional tofu contains about 50-88 calories, but a serving of Japanese fried tofu skin contains 385 calories, so it's best not to eat too much.
Four, grab a handful of nuts as a snack. For the skin, the oils you consume can be either an "angel" or a "devil," depending on the type of oil you eat. The plant oils in nuts are mostly rich in vitamin E, which helps with antioxidant effects and eliminates free radicals. Additionally, if you usually eat white rice and white bread, it's recommended to switch to whole grains, because "the coarser you eat, the finer your skin will be."
Five, have a cup of hot cocoa. Numerous scientific studies have cleared chocolate of its bad reputation, confirming it as a healthy food. This is because chocolate contains a variety of rich antioxidants, such as cocoa polyphenols and flavonoids, and moderate consumption is beneficial for the skin. Currently, 100% pure unsweetened cocoa powder without added milk solids is available for purchase. Just mix it with hot milk, add a little brown sugar, and you can enjoy a delicious and fragrant cup of hot cocoa.
Six, drink two cups of tea daily. American research indicates that drinking green tea or using skincare products containing green tea ingredients can reduce the amount of peroxides in the skin that cause sunburn, sagging, and roughness by about one-third. For general health maintenance, drinking 2-4 cups of tea per day is appropriate, and you can also rotate between different types of tea.