Have you ever tried eating your sunscreen? Absolutely disgusting, right? Well, you're in luck! Not only are sweet potatoes loved for being naturally sweet, delicious and low in calories, they are also known as the delicious "edible sunscreen" that will keep your skin looking young and beautiful.
By eating foods that fight sun damage, such as sweet potatoes, you are giving yourself a good lather of natural sunscreen. The greatest fighters against sun damage are carotenoids such as beta carotene and lycopene, which are abundant in sweet potatoes. In addition, sweet potatoes are packed full of vitamin E, which helps protect skin cells and reduce inflammation.
- Carotenoids are antioxidants that reduce the negative effects of UVB radiation
- Beta carotene (what gives sweet potatoes their famous orange hue) is an antioxidant that slows the aging process and defends the skin from sun exposure
- Lycopene protects skin against sunburn and skin cancer; it has an SPF of about 3 and is twice as effective as beta carotene
To start building up your skin's natural sunscreen, eat foods with high concentrations of beta-carotene and lycopene. Eating these foods will boost your skin's antioxidant levels and protect you against UV radiation.
Foods rich in beta-carotene: sweet potatoes, apricots, papaya, mango, carrots and beets
Foods rich in lycopene: watermelon, tomatoes, papaya, guava, red bell peppers and pink grapefruit
Sweet Potato with Beets,Greens & Almonds
from the Savvy Vegetarian
ingredients
- 1 raw beet, peeled and sliced into 1-inch sticks, steamed
- 1 large sweet potato, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes, steamed
- 1/4 cup blanched almonds, toasted
- 1/4 cup raw pumpkin seeds, toasted
- 4 cups chopped swiss chard or kale
- 1 tablespoon oil
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin powder
- 1/2 teaspoon ground fennel seed
- 1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
instructions
- Heat oil over medium heat. Add coriander, cumin, fennel seed, turmeric and thyme. Cook and stir until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Add green. Cook and stir until wilted.
- Add beets, sweet potatoes, almonds and pumpkin seeds. Mix well.
- Season with salt and pepper. Serve as a main or side dish.
Raise all the produces you mentioned above! I love them all. Mango, papaya, tomatoes and guava; I have those plants in my backyard. Never once I think that they are all good for fighting sunscreen. Thanks for sharing this great information and the recipe also. I love to sautee the sweet potato leaves along with prawn and chicken and beef. It tastes so good, esp with jalapeno chili. I love hot and spicy food.
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