We all know that we need to remember the sunscreen when we are headed outside for a day of fun in the sun. But according to some new studies, you might want to consider taking along some strawberries to munch on as well!
Previous studies have shown that topical vitamin C (the type found in cosmetics and lotions) can help protect our skin from sun damage. (This is why you often see vitamin C added to sunscreens.) Eating foods rich in vitamin C has also been associated with "better skin aging appearance" (fewer wrinkles) in other studies But new research has shown that eating foods rich in vitamin C not only keeps those wrinkles away but actually may protect our skin from sun damage. This is a great discovery if it turns out to be true! We already know that vitamin C is necessary for healthy skin, and sun protection would be another bonus for eating yummy vitamin C rich food!
It is thought that vitamin C's role as an antioxidant is the reason for this protection (previously another antioxidant, lycopene, had also been shown to help prevent sunburn). So now you have another great motivator to make sure your children are getting enough vitamin C every day- the knowledge that it just might help them avoid a painful sunburn!
Vitamin C rich foods include: oranges, strawberries, tomatoes, red bell peppers, papaya, broccoli, kiwi, guava, and cantaloupe.
Lycopene can be found in "red" foods such as tomatoes, watermelon and pink grapefruit
No comments:
Post a Comment