Studies Show Certain Foods Can Act As 'Sunscreen'

DETROIT (WWJ) - Warmer weather's finally here — and there's plenty more summer and sun ahead.

Using a good sunscreen lotion is important, but certain foods can also boost your skin's natural SPF, according to new research.

A study out of Athens Medical School in England found people who ate about a quarter cup of tomato paste every day, suffered fewer sunburns and raised their skin's natural SPF by a third.The antioxidants in dark greens like spinach disperse in your body and destroy free radicals from the sun.

That study appeared in the journal Nutrition Research. [Read more HERE].

Meantime, a separate study in the International Journal of Cancer found, just a serving of leafy greens a day reduced the recurrence of tumors in skin cancer patients by more than 50 percent.

Sweet potatoes, carrots, green tea  — and my personal favorite: dark chocolate — also have antioxidants that help boost your natural sun protection factor.

Eat up!