Top foods for sun protection.
Foods to help soothe and prevent sunburn. Yes, foods.

Picture this: Skin peeling and obnoxiously reflecting a red (burning) tint. We have all been there. You can apply the sunscreen all you want and you still may be feeling the effects of those harsh UVA/UVB rays. And unfortunately, more than 40 per cent of sunscreens tested do not live up to their SPF claims.

Another study found that while sunscreen is effective at protecting against UVB rays (the ones that cause the burning sensation), they fail at protecting against UVA wavelengths (the ones that wrinkle your smooth skin).

But like so many other health-saving things in life, food can be a part of the answer! That's why we have compiled a list of the top 10 foods you should stock up on to help avoid burnt skin this summer.

Sweet potato

Did you know when you are dehydrated you crave sweet things? Instead of going up to the concession stand at your local pool and buying a candy bar, opt for a sweet potato! Not only is this potato loaded with flavour and potassium, it also provides a wealth of a specific kind of vitamin A called, beta-carotene, which is only found in plants. This vitamin is crucial to attaining sufficient amounts of in order to build a team of antioxidant micronutrients. Ultimately, this band of antioxidants will act as a defense shield against the sun.

Olive oil

Embrace that Mediterranean diet and drizzle some olive oil atop your leafy green salad, because olive oil is a natural sun blocker. The high level of a plant peptide is found in olive oil called, squalane which is known to protect the skin's sensitive lipids or fats. Your skin is not going to burn with this in your system. For a super delicious, light dressing, drizzle ½ tablespoon of olive oil with a squirt of honey and a dash of sea salt over top your bed of spinach. Your taste buds will appreciate the sweet and salty combo and your skin, of course, will thank you for protecting it. It's a win-win!

Strawberries

Have you heard the news? One serving of strawberries has more vitamin C than a medium orange. Weighing in at 84.7 mg of vitamin C, one cup of strawberries beats out the vitamin C content of a medium orange by about 15 mg. While the difference is tiny, you will not want to be frugal with your intake of vitamin C this summer. This cold-combating vitamin we gobble supplements of in the winter also can help us stay healthy in the summer, too. But in an entirely different way.

Avocado

Similar to vitamin C, vitamin E is also a potent antioxidant that protects your skin against free radical damage and avocados are full of it. Not to mention, vitamin E is also a key player in anti-aging. So, when you eat an avocado not only are you preventing your skin from wrinkles brought on by UVA rays, you also are combating the effects of biological aging as well.

Salmon

Sitting alongside the ocean may give you a hankering for some wild caught salmon. And it should, seeing as this fish is truly one of a kind. If its dark pink complexion was not enough to reel you in, maybe its high omega-3 fatty acid content will. Especially because a small British study found that fish rich in omega-3s guarded against sunburn and any changes in the DNA that can lead to cancer.

Pomegranate

This juicy superfood is one you will not want to neglect this summer. These small red pearls contain excellent sources of antioxidants that slow and prevent oxidative stress from free radicals doing damage on your smooth skin. Both UVA and UVB rays are notorious for imposing damage on your skin's precious lipid membrane. Luckily, a study showed that pomegranate seeds (small but mighty) protect cells from being damaged or destroyed after exposure from both kinds of rays.

Broccoli

The veggie (and its relatives, such as cauliflower and kale) are packed with antioxidants, which also help fight UV damage. Broccoli contains sulforaphane, a compound that's linked to helping boost your skin's ability to protect itself from cancer.

Dark chocolate

Studies have found that cocoa high in flavonoids may give your skin added protection against the sun's UV rays.

Tomatoes

A study found you can prevent sunburn with foods rich in lycopene. Tomatoes and tomato paste are both good sources of this nutrient, so maybe you should make pasta for dinner tonight.

Water

Drinking water is not just important for preventing sun stroke during hot weather. It's very important to stay hydrated before and after sun exposure because the sun can drain a significant amount of our skin's moisture and hinder your skin's ability to heal itself.