5 Foods To Help Protect Against Sun Damage

Here are five of the best foods to eat to provide natural, healthy sun protection.

Heirloom tomatoes are rich in the antioxidant lycopene, which has been shown to reduce UV-induced free radicals by 40-50%. Lycopene is better absorbed with fat, so drizzle the tomatoes with olive oil. You need to eat about a cup to get the skin-protecting benefit. Heirloom tomatoes have more lycopene than conventional tomatoes.

Another great source of lycopene, you need about three cups of watermelon for it to be effective. Eat watermelon as a delicious summer snack with fresh mint and a squeeze of lime.

Bell peppers contain the antioxidant capsiate, which decreases UVB-induced skin damage and inhibits inflammation from sun exposure. Toss raw bell peppers into a spinach salad. You need a whole bell pepper for it to be effective.

The polyphenols in the pomegranate seeds protect the skin from both UVA and UVB free radicals. They can enhance the sun protection factor of sunscreen by up to 25% and also inhibit hyper-pigmentation. Snack on the seeds or toss them into a watercress salad. Pomegranate juice is an easy way to get the antioxidants, BUT without the seeds, there's no fiber and the juice converts too quickly to sugar leading to glycation and aging.

This fish is rich in omega-3 fats, which inhibit inflammation from UVB rays by up to 52%. They also block the release of UV-induced enzymes that eat away at collagen, causing lines and sagging. Enjoy the wild salmon as ceviche or poached over microgreens.