Showing up a little late in this soon to be over summer tanning season, is a report highlighting that a certain diet can save your skin from the sun’s harmful UV rays.
That protective diet is the Greek one according to researchers at the University of Tel Aviv. Dr. Niva Shapira of Tel Aviv University’s (TAU) School of Health Professions says the prescription is to “go Greek.” The Greek diet is eating foods like olive oil, fish, yogurt, and colorful fruits and vegetables. These foods are rich in rich in anti-oxidants and omega-3 fatty acids — common in Mediterranean regions, and can protect the skin from the sun’s rays. Some of the most helpful anti-oxidants are carotenoids, which are colorful fruit and vegetable pigments. This includes the reds of tomatoes and strawberries as well as the bright oranges of carrots and pumpkins. Other good foods include fish, olive oil, and whole grains. Foods to avoid include red meat, processed foods, and alcohol with the exception of red wine, which is actually good for your skin. Also, people should avoid foods containing the compound psoralen (i.e. parsley, celery, dill, cilantro, and figs). Besides eating well, the researchers also commented that one must still use traditional methods such as suntan lotions, and appropriate body coverings to combat the sun’s rays. Eating well helps build up your body’s natural ability to create melanin in allowing your skin to tan without harming it. The body’s natural defense in protecting itself is to create a skin pigment called melanin. Melanin combines with oxygen (oxidizes), and this creates the tan color in the skin. However, overexposure can cause melanoma, which is a less common type of skin cancer, but results in 75% of all skin cancer related deaths. UV radiation also attacks the immune system, making it more difficult for the body to repair itself.
Photo Credit: John Vlahakis
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