Tomato contain elements that can protect our skin from harmful effects of UV radiation.
Two pigments in the fruit available in nutritional supplements can help shield the skin against the effects of ultra violet (UV) radiation, a study has found.
Lycopene and lutein are both claimed to have anti-cancer properties. Lutein, also found in kale and spinach, is known as the “eye vitamin” because it is reputed to protect against eye conditions such as macular degeneration and cataracts.
Researchers studied the effect of the supplements in 65 volunteers whose skin was exposed to two types of UV light, UVA1 and UVA/B.
Compared with no treatment, both significantly reduced the activity of “indicator genes” in the skin that act as markers of photo-ageing and inflammation - two key signs of damage inflicted by sunlight.
Professor Jean Krutmann, one of the scientists from the Leibniz Research Institute for Environmental Medicine in Germany, said: “Our study further supports the concept that dietary strategies are beneficial for human skin in general and that nutritional supplements of the exact kind used in this study are very effective in providing protection against UVA radiation-induced skin damage in particular.
“It also demonstrates that assessment of molecular markers is a very powerful approach to study efficacy of oral photo-protective strategies... “
The findings are published in the British Journal of Dermatology.
Previous studies have assessed lycopene's ability to reduce UV-induced erythema, or reddening of the skin.
One investigation found that a lycopene mixture was as good at preventing sunburn as a sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 1.3.
The latest study went further by using gene activity as a way of measuring sun damage to human skin.
Matthew Gass, of the British Association of Dermatologists, said: “Eating tomatoes and kale isn't a substitute for sunscreen or other forms of sun protection such as protective clothing and shade.
“However, this study shows that these lycopene and lutein supplements could be an extra tool to protect against sun damage."
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