Summer time! Yes. Most of us wear sunscreen when we go out, while there is no way to avoid all sunlight exposure. Antioxidants helps to protect skin from sun damage, so you should add more foods which are rich in antioxidants to your diet to make sure that there’s a consistent presence of antioxidants in the skin. These foods will help:
Tomato
Tomato is a major source of an antioxidant called lycopene, which has been proven to provide long-term protection against UV-radiation-induced effects.
Cocoa
Cocoa is rich in antioxidants, richer in fact than red wine or green tea. Studies showed that a group of women given a flavanol rich cocoa drink showed 15% less reddening of the skin when exposed to UV light.
Watermelon
Watermelon is rich in lycopene too, making it a great choice to protect your skin from sunburn.
Carrots
The antioxidants in carrots are able to protect as well as repair the skin effectively. Sneak carrots into your diet by making healthy, low-cal fries.
Directions: Cut peeled carrots into three-inch sticks. Place them on a baking sheet with two tablespoons of olive oil and some sea salt. Toss to coat evenly, then roast in a 400 degrees for 30 minutes (turning them at the 15-minute mark).
Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes are also a major source of skin-protecting beta-carotene.
Slice a big sweet potato into chip-like disks (don’t make them too thin or they’ll burn quickly). Brush the slices with olive oil seasoned with salt, pepper, and oregano or fresh cilantro. Grill until golden brown (about a minute-and-a-half per side).
Dark vegetables
The deeper the color of the vegetable, the more valuable the antioxidants, which help reverse free-radical damage in the body.
Some good choices: kale, spinach, collard greens, cranberries, raisins, dried plums (prunes), red grapes, carrots, and cherries. Enjoy these vegetables with this easy-to-make, low-cal salad dressing: freshly squeezed lemon or lime with grape-seed oil. This oil is high in resveratrol, an antioxidant that has been shown to benefit the skin.
Almonds
Top off your salad, yogurt, or smoothie with almonds, which contain good amount of vitamin E – another powerful antioxidant that protects against sun damage.
Sources:
http://colinsbeautypages.co.uk/benefits-of-cocoa-for-the-skin/
http://www.dailyperricone.com/2012/06/6-foods-to-fight-sun-damage/
http://www.bhg.com/recipes/healthy/eating/deep-colored-fruits-vegetables/