Understand which foods can help speed up your tan

Take all your doubts to enjoy the summer safely

Now is the time of summer, the hottest season of the year and, at the same time, requires close attention to health, physical activity and nutrition. Therefore, many doubts arise to be able to enjoy this cycle safely. Can food help speed up the tan?

Answer

“Yellow, orange and dark green foods have a pigment from the carotenoid family, beta-carotene, which functions as a powerful antioxidant that helps protect against free radicals. It strengthens the immune system, has photoprotective potential and acts against damage caused by exposure to the sun, “said the nutritionist of the Hospital Universitário Cajuru, in Curitiba, Marcelly Pires in an exclusive interview for the sports life.

When asked what these beta-carotene-rich foods are, Marcelly listed the top ones. The nutritionist also mentioned the importance of lycopene, an antioxidant “pulled” from the body and that its main function is to “protect” our body from damage caused by free radical compounds.

“Foods rich in beta-carotene are cabbage, carrots, acerola, spinach, pumpkin, melon, broccoli, mango, watermelon and others. Another carotenoid known for its photoprotective factor is lycopene, which reduces the action of free radicals , prevents skin aging and decreases early damage caused by UV (ultraviolet) light”, explains Pires.

“Lycopene gives food a red pigment, that is, it is found in tomatoes, red guava, peppers, watermelon, persimmons, pitanga, papaya,” adds the nutritionist.

food statistics

This type of guidance seems important in the cooling scenario of the coronavirus pandemic. The reason is the research work of the Free University of Betim (MG), in collaboration with UFMG (Federal University of Minas Gerais), which was released in April 2021.

This experiment showed that Brazilian homes have experienced a significant reduction in the consumption of healthy foods, examples: fruit, cheese, meat, vegetables and legumes during the Covid-19 pandemic. In households with a context of food insecurity, which means almost 60% of households, the decline in the intake of good products exceeded the 85% rate.

Tan

Nutrition and physical activity are important issues along with sun protection. Every year, this topic is updated with statistics, which leave healthcare professionals in despair because this data simply won’t stop growing.

Research by the Cosmetology Institute of the city of Campinas (SP) showed that 71% of the Brazilian population did not use sunscreen daily in 2022. This work saw the participation of the inhabitants of the 26 states and the Federal District. The value of sunscreen has been cited as a “barrier” to not applying protection to the body.

daily guidelines

Marcelly didn’t skimp on her skin protection advice. “Always use sunscreen and especially during sun exposure. Avoid sun exposure between 10am and 4pm. Maintain an adequate water intake (35ml/Kg of body weight) every day. Avoid very hot baths so you don’t damage your skin,” she says.

Another aid from Marcelly is the “connection” with what you eat while tanning. “To maintain a beautiful and long-lasting tan, fruits and vegetables should be consumed daily. They are sources of vitamins and minerals, especially the antioxidant vitamins A, B7, C and E, zinc and copper,” she justifies.

“For the effects of carotenoids to be greatest, start consuming 3/4 servings a week before sun exposure. They can be eaten raw, cooked, roasted, in the form of juices, vitamins or salads. However, if consumed with some source of fats, such as cooked carrots and olive oil, the absorption of these substances is better. Foods or supplements with beta-carotene, if consumed in excess, can leave the peel orange or yellowish (Carotenemia).” , he concludes.

Who is she?

Marcelly Pires holds a degree in nutrition from the PUC-PR (Pontifical Catholic University) and a master’s degree in food quality and health from the UFPR (Federal University of Paraná). In addition to her work at Cajuru University Hospital, she is the founder and president of Lanutris (League of Social Nutrition), at PUC-PR.

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Source: Terra

Ben

Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.