D - ESP  
<<        >>

Sun protection 03: food

Avoid sunburn - or heal it immediately

Tomatoes+tomato products with red pygment lycopene - orange+red fruits+vegetables with carotinoids - skin becomes strong against sunburn

Eat tomatoes and tomato products with lycopene - must be organic -- rubbing tomato on sunburn reduces it immediately -- eat red and orange vegetables and fruits with carotenoids

News

presented by Michael Palomino

Aug 2, 2018: Tomatoes with lycopene strengthening the skin against the sun:
Sun protection from nature: Do carrots and tomatoes protect against sunburn?
(orig. German: Sonnenschutz aus der Natur: Schützen Möhren und Tomaten vor Sonnenbrand?)
https://www.berliner-zeitung.de/gesundheit-oekologie/sonnenschutz-aus-der-natur-schuetzen-moehren-und-tomaten-vor-sonnenbrand-li.16020

Translation with Bing translator:

Another substance that plays a role in sun protection is found in tomatoes: Lycopene acts as an antioxidant, capturing aggressive oxygen compounds that arise as a result of UV rays and neutralizing them, explains Jean Krutmann, scientific director of the Leibniz Institute for Environmental Medicine Research in Düsseldorf. "However, one must take into account that it takes several weeks for the protection to build up," says Krutmann. And even then, you only achieve a sun protection factor of five to six.

---

Sun protection with foods on Feb 14, 2025: with carotenoids, e.g. astaxanthin - all red and orange fruits and vegetables - tomatoes with lycopene - or tomato paste:
Natural sun protection
(orig. German: Natürlicher Sonnenschutz)
https://www.zentrum-der-gesundheit.de/bibliothek/ratgeber/selbermachen/sonnenschutz-natuerlich-ia

Translation with Deepl:

Author: Carina Rehberg
Medical control: Gert Dorschner

Translation:

Sun protection is extremely important. But sunlight also. This is because the sun's rays activate the production of vital vitamin D in our skin - which in turn can be thwarted by sunscreens. So, one has to find the happy medium. Only soak up as much sun as your skin can tolerate. Then apply a natural sun protection and increase your skin's own sun protection from the inside. [...]

Natural sun protection from the inside

However, sun protection is not only possible from the outside with sun creams, but also from the inside, e.g. with the help of carotenoids from certain carotenoid-rich foods or food supplements. Carotenoids are natural pigments/colorants in plants, which are therefore contained in the plant to protect its leaves and fruits from sunburn caused by too much UV radiation, among other things. Carotenoids have exactly the same effect in human skin (2). Link ENGL

Carotenoids that we ingest protect our skin from the inside - just as they do with the leaves or fruit of the plant - and thus increase the body's own sun protection factor or reduce the skin's sensitivity to UV radiation. Astaxanthin is one of the most effective sun protection carotenoids.

Sun protection with astaxanthin

[...] Astaxanthin is a very powerful antioxidant that can also help us humans. Although we are not algae, astaxanthin can protect our skin from sunburn from the inside out in a similar way, so that we can stay in the sun longer with astaxanthin than without this additional internal protection.

This was the result of a study conducted by a US product testing laboratory with 21 participants. The test subjects ranged from sensitive skin (at high risk of sunburn) to normal skin (at medium risk of sunburn). People with skin diseases and people who were already sunburnt were excluded. A sun simulator was then used to determine the UV radiation intensity that would be required to cause sunburn in the test subjects.

The study participants then took 4 mg of astaxanthin daily for two weeks. The sensitivity to sunburn was then measured again. The new values were now compared with the values from two weeks ago.

It was found that although some test subjects showed no protective effects, others needed 50 percent more sunlight to produce a sunburn than before the astaxanthin treatment - which corresponded to a statistically significant improvement in the skin's own sun protection.

Now, two weeks is not a long time. And as the sun protection provided by astaxanthin increases with every week (astaxanthin is stored in the skin cells), it is recommended that you take astaxanthin for not just two, but rather four weeks - 4 to 8 milligrams a day (e.g. in the form of an astaxanthin cure before going on vacation) to achieve good sun protection.

You can find out more about astaxanthin at the bottom of this page: Astaxanthin - the super antioxidant

Sun protection with tomatoes

In addition to astaxanthin, other foods can also protect the skin from sunburn from the inside. Micronutrients such as carotenoids, tocopherols (vitamin E), ascorbates (vitamin C), flavonoids or certain fatty acids act as a natural UV shield from the inside (34) (Link ENGL). Suppliers of all these substances are almost all red, orange and dark green vegetables and fruits as well as - as fat suppliers - oilseeds and nuts resp. their oils.

There are scientific studies on the sun protection potential of tomatoes, for example. The studies showed that 55 grams of tomato paste per day could increase the skin's natural sun protection by 33 percent, which is apparently due to the effect of lycopene - a secondary plant substance (5) (Link ENGL) . You can find out more about the positive effect of tomatoes on the skin here: Tomatoes (Link German)

---

Tomato cultivation, May 31, 2025: Only tomatoes in direct sunlight develop the full nutrients - tomatoes from Spain and Italy are mostly grown under plastic tarps, with pesticides and with slavery:
Tomatoes - vitamins, minerals, and cultivation.
(orig. German: Tomaten - Vitamine, Mineralstoffe und Anbau)
https://www.zentrum-der-gesundheit.de/ernaehrung/lebensmittel/gemuese/tomaten

Translation with Deepl:

-- It's about the red pigment “lycopene”, which has a protective and rejuvenating effect on cells:

"The carotenoid lycopene is a red pigment that gives fruits such as the tomato or watermelon their characteristic color. According to a study conducted by Portuguese researchers in 2018, lycopene is the strongest antioxidant of all carotenoids. (33) (link ENGL) It counteracts ageing processes and helps prevent diseases associated with oxidative stress."

-- Tomatoes are effective against cancer, for the skin, cardiovascular system, against osteoporosis, for the muscles, has only little fructose - tomato paste has more fructose in it

-- Canned tomatoes and tomato paste are better than fresh tomatoes because the cooked lycopene is better absorbed:

"It is often falsely propagated that there is more lycopene in tomato paste and the like than in raw tomatoes. Although the antioxidant substance is heat-stable, it is still reduced by over 30 percent during cooking, but its bioavailability increases. This is because the all-trans form of lycopene is partially converted into the cis form during cooking (48) (link ENGL) - and it is precisely this form that can be better absorbed." However, the vitamins are then reduced after 15 minutes at 140ºC.

-- Lycopene and carotenoids are much better absorbed with an edible oil, preferably olive oil - and when cut into small pieces and chewed well, you don't have to cook the tomatoes and you can reject tomato paste with it's aluminum tubes:

Die Tomate muss also nicht zwingend gekocht werden, um an das Lycopin zu gelangen. Gründliches Zerkleinern und die Zugabe von etwas Öl ist für diesen Zweck bei weitem wichtiger, zumal dann die Polyphenole und hitzeempfindlichen Vitalstoffe erhalten bleiben."

"A study at the University of Lleida in Spain has shown that the absorption of lycopene and other carotenoids can be increased 21-fold (51) (link ENGL). Olive oil performed best compared to other oils such as sunflower oil.

Bioavailability can also be improved enormously by finely chopping or chewing the tomato well.

The tomato does not necessarily have to be cooked to get the lycopene. Thorough chopping and the addition of a little oil is far more important for this purpose, especially as the polyphenols and heat-sensitive vital substances are then preserved."

-- The skin of the tomato is particularly rich in lycopene, so never peel it:

"There is also a widespread practice of removing the skin from tomatoes - for example in the industrial production of tomato products, but also in private kitchens. But see this: There is more lycopene in the skin than in the flesh. Of course, it's not just about the lycopene. If you cannot tolerate nightshade vegetables, for example, you can increase your tolerance if the vegetables are peeled."

Vitamins / minerals	per 100 g of tomatoes
Potassium	242 mg
Vitamin C	24,5 mg
Iron	0,5 mg
Vitamin E	813 μg
Beta-carotene	506 μg

The cultivation of the tomato is crucial - only accept organic tomatoes
-- The cultivation is decisive: organic tomatoes grow in sunlight without toxic pharmaceutical pesticides - industrial tomatoes grow under plastic foil WITHOUT direct sunlight and usually highly toxic pharmaceutical pesticides are used
-- The working conditions for industrial tomatoes from Spain or Italy are frightening, like in colonialism with low salaries and often without a toilet
-- Tomato paste from China is exported to Italy, but see this: it is a mixture of a maxiuimum of 45% of tomato paste and: the rest is soybeans, starch, malt sugar, colorants, none of this is indicated on the packaging - in Italy the FAKE tomato paste (!) is diluted with water, supplemented with salt and sold as “ketchup” or tomato sauce, spread on frozen pizzas, etc. - The EU does NOT act: "The customer is not aware of any of this. Because if a food is processed in Europe, the law does not require the indication of the ingredients of the original imported food."

---

July 5, 2025: Having a sunburn: rub tomato, this is reducing it - regularly eating tomatoes and tomato products reduces susceptibility to sunburn:
Do tomatoes help with sunburn? The natural SOS home remedy in check
(orig. German: Helfen Tomaten bei Sonnenbrand? Das natürliche SOS-Hausmittel im Check)
https://deavita.com/gesundes-leben/helfen-tomaten-bei-sonnenbrand-1658222.html

Translation with Deepl: 

Ramona Berger - Experience reports and exciting studies show: The red vegetable can be more than just delicious!

[...] What initially sounds like a fairy tale actually has a surprisingly large fan base. Numerous people swear by the cooling and healing effect of tomatoes on sunburn. One particularly impressive story (shared on Frag-Mutti.de) dates back to the 1970s: It happened in the south of France when a German vacationer had caught a proper sunburn with pustules - a real nightmare for any sun worshipper.

An attentive hotel waiter recommended an unusual method: the affected woman should cut a large tomato in half, rub it on her skin, cover the treated skin with a napkin and lie down. Although she felt embarrassed at first, she tried it out - and experienced a real miracle. The skin cooled immediately, the redness subsided and the agonizing itching disappeared as if by magic. The next day she was actually able to go back to the beach - this time under a parasol, of course.

Such experiences are not isolated cases. Similar reports are piling up on social media. People report an “instant effect” that puts other home remedies such as quark, yoghurt or aloe vera in the shade.

The science behind the red miracle: lycopene as sun protection from within

Although the topical application of tomatoes on sunburned skin has not yet been sufficiently scientifically researched, there are impressive studies on the oral intake of lycopene - the powerful antioxidant that gives tomatoes their characteristic red color and makes them so healthy (link German).

The research findings are quite remarkable: regular consumption of tomatoes and tomato products can protect the skin from UV damage from the inside out. Several studies have shown that people who consume lycopene daily are less susceptible to sunburn. The skin develops a natural resistance to harmful UV rays.

One particularly interesting study found that daily consumption of five tablespoons of tomato paste over twelve weeks provides 33% protection against sunburn - comparable to a sun protection agent with a sun protection factor of 1.3. This may not seem like much at first, but it is definitely valuable as an additional component in a sun protection strategy.

The experts agree: lycopene acts as a natural antioxidant and neutralizes the reactive oxygen compounds produced in the skin by UV light. This reduces the formation of skin redness, strengthens the skin structure and boosts collagen production.

Nina Goad of the British Association of Dermatologists points out: “Although protection from lycopene is low, this research suggests that a diet high in antioxidant-rich tomatoes could provide an additional tool in sun protection.” Professor Mark Birch-Machin from Newcastle University adds: “Eating tomatoes won't make you invincible in the sun, but it could be a useful addition to sun protection along with sun protection agents, shade and clothing.”

Conclusion: An experiment worth trying

Although the scientific evidence for the topical use of tomatoes for sunburn is still lacking, the numerous positive testimonials speak for themselves. After all, tomatoes are available practically everywhere, cost little and can definitely do no harm.

The application is very simple: cut a ripe tomato into slices or mash it into a paste and apply it carefully to the affected areas of skin. Allow the natural cooling effect to work and rinse off the residue with lukewarm water after about 15-20 minutes.

So why not give it a try? Your fridge is probably stocked with tomatoes anyway, and the next time you have a sunburn, this simple home remedy could provide just the relief you need. Combine it with plenty of hydration and avoid further sun exposure to give your skin the best chance of a quick recovery. (link German)

**Quellen:**
– Goad, N. (2008). British Association of Dermatologists. Medical Xpress.
– Birch-Machin, M. (2008). Newcastle University. BBC Health News.
– Frag-Mutti Forum: Tomaten bei Sonnenbrand (2006)

<<        >>

^