Extra protection from the sun is never a bad thing, and, in addition to regularly slathering on the sunscreen, you should also be paying close attention to your diet during these summer months. Certain foods have been proven to provide an additional level of sun protection, containing powerful antioxidants that are able to reverse the damage caused by the sun. OROGOLD takes a look at some of the most effective sun protection foods out there.

Carrots and Sweet Potatoes
In addition to being able to prevent sun damage, carrots have also been proven to reverse the damage that the sun has already caused, making it quite the powerful vegetable. Carrots contain high levels of beta-carotene, which is able to protect and repair skin cells from photoaging. A recent Korean study showed remarkable results in this when women ate six carrots a day for three months. For an easy way to incorporate more carrots into your diet, OROGOLD recommends cutting sliced carrots into thin sticks and then baking them for about half an hour until they become delicious crispy carrot fries. Sweet potatoes also contain plenty of beta-carotene, and are a great and healthy alternative to regular potatoes.

Tomatoes and Watermelon
Commonly referred to as ‘nature’s sunscreen‘, tomatoes contain high levels of the antioxidant lycopene, which has been proven to provide long-term protection against UV rays and the damage that they cause. To enjoy these benefits, you don’t just have to eat fresh tomatoes, as tomato products, from tomato paste to tomato juice, also contain this antioxidant. Another fruit that also contains high levels of lycopene is watermelon, and this can easily be snacked on or turned into a refreshing juice.

Kiwis, Strawberries, and Oranges
When it comes to vitamin C, kiwis rule over all other fruits, containing more vitamin C ounce for ounce than anything else. Vitamin C is extremely effective at killing off the free radicals that the body produces when exposed to sunlight, reducing the damage that is caused to skin cells. Strawberries and oranges are also high in vitamin C, so be sure to incorporate as much of these juicy fruits into your diet as possible.

Almonds and Sunflower Seeds
Both almonds and sunflower seeds contain plenty of vitamin E, another potent antioxidant that can protect the skin from the sun. Vitamin E has not only been shown to slow down the aging process of skin cells, but also reduces the appearance of existing scars. For an easy way to incorporate almonds and sunflower seeds into your diet, OROGOLD recommends sprinkling some each morning over a bowl of yogurt, or adding them to a salad, or juicing them into a smoothie.

Even if your diet consists mainly of foods that are high in sun protecting antioxidants, OROGOLD would still strongly advise that you still wear a thick layer of sunscreen each day, as the foods alone aren’t enough to provide sufficient protection. Nevertheless, since many of these foods are also able to reverse existing sun damage, they are, needless to say, extremely beneficial for the body, and will make you much less susceptible to sunburn, as well as other sun-related conditions.