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Sunscreens and sun clothing protect our skin from the sun heat and uv radiation. However some food can also provide protection from the sun.

Sunscreens can be dangerous if they are misused or contain the wrong ingredients, its always advisable to check the EWG database before buying the right sunscreen. Using alternative natural ways to protect the skin such as wearing hats and shirts and having a diet high in anti-oxidants especially when on the beach will help protecting the skin as well to certain degree, in fact some studies showed that certain type of foods play an important role in protecting and keeping a healthy skin . 

Some of these foods are :

- Resveratrol (red wine, blueberries and red grapes)

- Omerga-3 fatty acids (salmon and fish oil)

- Astaxanthin .microalgae (wild salmon, krill and shellfish)

- Epigallocatechin gallate (ECGC) and polyphenols (green, black and white tea, rosemary, thyme, oregano, garlic and cocoa )

- Lycopene (red carotene and carotenoid pigment and phytochemical found in tomatoes and other red fruits and vegetables, corn, watermelon, papaya, pink guava, pink grapefruit, persimmons and red cabbage)

- Beta-carotene (carrots, red bell peppers, sweet potatoes, spinach, kale, collard greens and most yellow/orange veggies)

- Vitamin E (pumpkin seeds, almonds, avocado and asparagus)

- Vitamin C (bell peppers, dark leafy greens, kiwis, broccoli, berries,citrus fruits, tomatoes, peas, and papayas, cabbage)

Certain food can increase the skin ability to protect against uv radiation, also food rich with antioxidant can help fight radicals.

Foods that contains Omega-3 can help protect the cells from free radical damage and some studies shows that omega-3 may help prevent some types of skin cancer. 

Vitamin C foods have the ability to mop up free radicals produced from ultraviolet rays and also its role in collagen synthesis and may help protect skin cells against sun damage by promoting the repair of DNA that’s been harmed by UV rays. Foods that contains Lycopene protect our skin from sun burn because it contains carotenoid. According to Paul Nghiem, M.D., Ph.D., associate professor of dermatology at the University of Washington Medical School caffeine in tea may help to protect your skin against skin cancer. Caffeine basically kills precancerous and ultraviolet-damaged skin cells by blocking a protein that they need to divide. Soya milk and tofu also helps collagen from breakdown.

“Vitamin E is another great antioxidant that helps protect the skin from sun damage,” says Carina Sohaili, Board Certified Celebrity Nutrition and Health Counselor and creator of Vibrant Healthy Life.

Foods that contains astaxanthinare considered as anti-burning.This antioxidant comes from the algae. The Algae natural habit is protects itself against UV rays and survive during direct sunlight.

Dark Chocolate is also good “Research published in the Journal of Nutrition found that the flavanols in cocoa may actually help provide protection from UV damage,” says Joshua Duvauchelle, a NCAA-accredited certified personal trainer through the American Council on Exercise with nutrition certification from Cornell University.Study found that people who drink one cup of tea per day have a lower incidence of melanoma.

Avoid adding sugar to your coffee or tea because refined sugar will activate inflammation in the body and will cause stomach and internal organ problems as well as skin problems. Also it is preferable to have fresh food instead of canned or jarred as these may contain sugar.

Wearing sunscreen that is toxic-free keeps skin safe especially when sitting a long time on the beach but using natural ways may help you more and over time and is much safer for your health. Sunscreens are applied on the skin externally for protection, however certain fresh natural foods can protect our skin and whole bay at same time, and some even improve our cells against skin cancer.

Skin Protection Tips:
Seek shade at all times when outdoor, wear sun protective clothing, sun hat and sunglasses for adequate protection. When on the beach always wear sun protection swimwear which offer UV radiation and protect your skin against jellyfish stingers, sea lice and heat conditions. Drink lots of water and use sunscreen on exposed skin.