Watermelon is a tasty summer treat but did you know it can also help to protect your skin?
How Can Watermelon Help to Protect Skin?
As its name suggests, watermelon is mainly water, but it is an excellent source of potassium and vitamins A and C. Significantly, watermelon is also rich in lycopene, an antioxidant that is also found in tomatoes and red-coloured fruits.
Why is Lycopene Important?
Lycopene is important because it can help to protect the skin against premature ageing, strengthening the elasticity of the skin. It offers some protection against the sun’s harmful rays while still filtering through enough sun through to encourage vitamin D production. If you would like to increase absorption of lycopene from foods, try serving it with olive oil or another oil-based dressing. Other good sources of lycopene include canned tomato sauce, tomato soup and ruby red grapefruit.
Make the most of the summer months to indulge in watermelon to help protect your skin from the inside out. Don’t forget to use good quality sunscreen and to use a hat to protect your skin from the outside!
