Your diet is an important but neglected part of the way we adapt to our external environment throughout the seasons. Eat antioxidants that help protect skin from sun damage, and some foods contain nutrients that help skin repair itself and replenish. This post will give you a list of the top foods to repair skin damage.
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Foods To Repair Skin Damage
1. Blueberries
They have one of the highest antioxidant levels of all fruits and vegetables. Blueberries are rich in powerful antioxidants that help fight free radicals that can damage the skin due to sun exposure and stress. Blueberries are even stronger if they are a wild variety. They are also a very good source of vitamin C, which can help prevent wrinkles during a day at the beach.
2. Tomatoes
Be sure to add a few tomatoes to your salads this summer. Tomatoes contain a powerful antioxidant called lutein, which can help stimulate your DNA to repair itself from damage.
These red fruits also contain lycopene, another antioxidant that works to prevent damage and reduce redness after sun exposure. Animal studies show it may even reduce the risk of skin cancer.
Use freehand organic tomato powder in your homemade sauces, bake tomatoes in the oven to make french fries, or mix them into chilled soups.
3. Pomegranates
Pomegranates are high in antioxidants and have been shown to provide anti-inflammatory benefits to the skin. Scientists have found that nutrients in pomegranates can reduce the ability of UVB radiation to cause cancer-promoting damage in skin cells. The pomegranate seed oil has a protective effect against skin cancer because ellagic acid, a polyphenol antioxidant found in large amounts in pomegranates that studies have found are effective in inhibiting the growth of pomegranates.
4. Watermelons
Tomatoes are known for containing lycopene, an antioxidant responsible for tomatoes’ red color. But watermelons actually contain far more. Lycopene absorbs both UVA and UVB radiation, although it may take several weeks for the skin to become more photoprotective due to its turnover rate, according to a 2012 study.
After a few weeks of daily, juicy watermelon consumption, lycopene can eventually act as a natural sunblock. Researchers note, though, that it doesn’t necessarily take the place of other protective measures, like SPF and sun-protective clothing, against sunspots and skin damage. But when it comes to anti-aging, this extra boost sure won’t hurt.
5. Carrots
Crushing carrots can be an effective way to protect your skin from the sun. Carrots are rich in an antioxidant called a carotenoid, which studies show significantly reduces DNA damage. Other studies show they may also help protect against sunburn.
Add shredded carrots to your salads or roast in large batches to reap more skin-protective carotenoids.
6. Sweet potatoes
They are one of the top foods to repair skin damage. Sweet potatoes contain as much beta-carotene as carrots. Antioxidants are converted into vitamin-A in the body, keeping skin smooth and healthy while promoting collagen production. By eating sweet potatoes, you are providing yourself with a good natural sunscreen combined with a physical sunscreen.
7. Green tea
Green tea is often prized for its ability to boost your metabolism, but it’s also a skin-healthy food. Green tea contains high levels of catechins, which have anti-inflammatory, anti-aging, and antioxidant effects that help fight free radicals from the sun. It also contains polyphenols, plant compounds that some studies show may be effective in preventing cancer because they limit blood supply to different areas where cancer can grow.
8. Avocados
As if you need another reason to eat avocados, their high vitamin E content may provide protective benefits for your skin. Studies show that avocados can significantly protect the outer skin layers from damage – especially when it is combined with vitamin C.
Additionally, the healthy monounsaturated fats in avocados can help improve your absorption of certain antioxidants like lutein, which only adds to your skin’s protection.
9. Cauliflower
When it comes to vegetables and fruit, a general health rule for living and shopping is toward more vibrantly colored foods. This is because they have more antioxidants.
But don’t let the pale flowers of the cauliflower fool you. This cruciferous vegetable is an exception to the rule. Cauliflower contains powerful antioxidants that help fight oxidative stress from free radicals.
In addition to this benefit, cauliflower is also a natural sunscreen thanks to the substance histidine. This alpha-amino acid stimulates urocanic acid production, which absorbs ultraviolet radiation.
