3 Foods That Boost Skin Protection From the Sun EAT AWAY THE UV RAYS
By now, most of us know how to protect our skin from the sun’s harmful rays. We apply sunscreen, wear hats and sunglasses, and opt for shaded spots to enjoy a picnic or a break. But what if we told you there was a way to do more, and it involved some really tasty food?
something similar. To add these to your diet, include fruit with every meal, swap potatoes for sweet potatoes for the summer, or snack on some fresh tomatoes! Fatty Fish You have heard that omega-3s are great for your heart, but your skin loves this compound, too. Omega-3s can limit the impact of a sunburn, which can lessen the damage sunburns do to your skin. This is due to the natural anti-inflammatory properties in omega-3s. The best source of this nutrient is in fish, like salmon, herring, or trout. Try searing these delicacies on the grill for your next barbecue. Flavorful Drinks Your morning routine just got better. Studies have found that coffee and green tea can have tremendous health benefits for your skin. One study found that drinking coffee may lower your risk of developing melanoma (a common form of skin cancer), while green tea contains polyphenols, which, much like the compounds found in fruit, can offer skin protection. Pour yourself a mug each day to reap a few benefits for your skin. As always, consult with a trusted medical professional if you have further questions or have concerns about your skin’s health.
The good news is that it’s true!
Many studies have found that antioxidants are the key to protecting your skin from the sun’s harmful rays. While simply changing your diet won’t eliminate the need for sunscreen, you can boost the effectiveness of your sun protection habits by making a few simple swaps. Note: These benefits have only been found in the consumption of the actual food, not the consumption of the food’s nutrients in supplement form. Discuss your supplement options with a trusted medical professional before taking them. Colorful Fruits and Veggies The colors that make fruits and vegetables look so lively are the very compounds our skin loves. Foods like tomatoes, sweet potatoes, pomegranates, kiwis, and oranges all contain carotenoids, which can have sun protection abilities. Likewise, grapes and berries have their own compounds that do TREE SPOTLIGHT Highlighting the Seven-Son Flower Tree Waiting until late summer to early fall to bloom, the ornamental seven-son flower tree (Heptacodium miconioides) is a hearty, zone 5 tree/shrub that grows beautifully in our climate here in West Hartford! Like the popular dogwood tree, the seven-son flower tree, named for its clusters of seven flower buds that almost resemble jasmine, stays relatively small, only reaching heights of about 15–20 feet and 10 feet in width. This tree was first discovered in China in 1907 but wasn’t introduced to gardeners in the United States until 1980 and was sometimes referred to as the “autumn lilac” or “hardy crapemyrtle.” The seven-son flower tree is versatile and adaptable, as it can tolerate a wide range of climates and conditions, but ideal conditions include total sun exposure or partial shade, average moisture, and loam or sandy soil. The tree is absolutely beautiful — it produces masses of white fragrant flowers in summer, then cherry-red sepals (the outer part of the flower) in fall. This is because as the flowers fall, the sepals stay behind, giving the illusion that it’s blooming all over again.
One of the most distinctive features of the tree is its peeling bark. When the tree exfoliates its tan bark, a cinnamon- colored inner bark is revealed, creating an aesthetically pleasing pattern. The seven-son flower tree provides an excellent habitat for birds and other wildlife, and its flowers offer tons of nectar for pollinators! The tree is best pruned in winter when the flowers are set; if you prune it in spring or summer, the flower buds will be removed, and it won’t bloom that year!
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