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I recently read Sara Novak's post on how to make your own suntan lotion. And I was all like, "This is a good and popular post. I'd better write something similar in the hopes that it also becomes popular." What I lack in originality, I make up for in cunning.
It is quite important to protect yourself from those cancer-causing UV rays. Sun block is always a good idea. However, you can increase your body's natural defenses against ultraviolet rays by gobbling up tomatoes. These common, red fruits function as internal sun block. British dermatologists found that eating five tablespoons worth of tomato paste a day can reduce the risk of UV-related skin damage. The skin samples of those who participated in the study were 33% more protected than those who didn't subsist on a tomato-rich diet.
Professor Lesley Rhodes, a dermatologist at the University of Manchester, explained:
The tomato diet boosted the level of procollagen in the skin significantly. These increasing levels suggest potential reversal of the skin aging process.
Even if you eat plenty of tomatoes, it is still recommended that sunscreen be applied during periods of extended UV exposure. Tomatoes make a great addition to your skin-protection arsenal. They have little or no packaging waste and they can be grown organically in your backyard.
