Eat And Tan: 10 Foods For A Beautiful Tan

Some come back from resorts with an enviable bronze tan, while others ─ “spotted” shoulders. Let's not talk about skin types and the right choice of sunscreens - everything is very individual here. Alena Zlobina, the founder and ideological inspirer of the Taste & Color project, talks about what you can and should eat so that your tan lays down evenly, is beautiful and lasts a long time.

A little about the chemistry of tanning

Our skin darkens in the sun - a process we call tanning. This natural dark skin is caused by the substance melanin, which is produced in our body as a protective reaction of the skin to the effects of ultraviolet radiation. By the way, it is the Africans who have a lot of melanin, so their skin looks like dark chocolate. Accordingly, if you include in your diet foods that contribute to the production of melanin, the tan will lie flat and will last for a long time.

5 ingredients for a beautiful tan

In addition to melanin itself, there are substances that not only stimulate a beautiful and uniform darkening of the skin, but also nourish it and protect it from aging.

The amino acids tyrosine and tryptophan stimulate the production of melanin in the skin and are responsible for sunburn.
Beta-carotene protects the skin from free radicals and helps avoid destruction of cell membranes.
Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that helps protect skin from premature aging when exposed to UV light.
Selenium not only strengthens the immune system, but also helps to avoid the unpleasant effects of sunburn - dryness and burns.
Lycopene significantly increases the skin's natural defense against free radicals, helps melanin to be produced faster and speeds up the process of getting a beautiful tan.

What do you need to eat to get a beautiful tan?

Carrot

Carrots contain a lot of beta-carotene, which helps to maintain a tan for a long time, so it is good to drink a glass of freshly squeezed carrot juice before going to the beach.

Handful of apricots

In addition to beta-carotene, apricots are rich in B vitamins, PP, phosphorus and iron. They will help speed up the development of a rich tan and protect the skin from harmful ultraviolet radiation.

A couple of peaches

Velvety peaches are high in potassium, iron, beta-carotene, vitamins C, PP and group B. A couple of peaches a day as a snack between sunbathing will help prevent burns.

Tomatoes

Tomatoes are rich in lycopene, B vitamins and minerals. This composition helps these vegetables to be the number one remedy for UV protection. Cosmetologists almost admit an equal sign between a glass of tomato juice before tanning or a light sunscreen (but you still need to protect yourself).

Bunch of grapes

In addition to vitamins A, PP, C and group B, grapes contain ascorbic acid. This combination of nutrients helps prevent skin diseases and maintains healthy skin moisture balance while tanning.

Greens

Spinach contains beta-carotene, vitamins PP, C and lutein. Smoothies based on it will help keep your tan for a long time. But broccoli, as an excellent source of antioxidants, will help protect the skin during tanning and restore it in case of a burn.

Slice of watermelon and melon

Favorite treats in the heat are also great helpers for getting a beautiful and even tan. Watermelons contain lycopene, vitamins B1, B2, PP, C, potassium, iron and beta-carotene. All of them accelerate the appearance of sunburn and nourish all cells of our body with water. Melon, on the other hand, helps to intensify the bronze shade.

Rice, bananas, dates and almonds with beans

All these products can be perfectly combined with each other and are united by their presence in the composition of tryptophan and tyrosine, which are converted into melanin.