Medierranean diet Covering yourself in layers of vegetables is one way to keep the sun’s harmful rays from your skin, but you could also try eating them: according to research from Tel Aviv University, and Rostock University, Germany, the Mediterranean diet helps protect against skin cancer.
The key appears to be antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids – both found in plentiful quantities in the Mediterranean diet. Other studies have demonstrated that the sun’s rays harm skin by causing skin cells to become oxidised – so by supplying the body with lots of antioxidants, the risk of cancer would be reduced. This was the theory behind the research.
Previous evidence has also shown that incidence of skin cancer – melanoma – is significantly lower in Mediterranean regions, which include Israel, Italy, Greece, and Turkey. The researchers say that foods like olives, fish, yogurt, peppers, tomatoes, watermelon, carrots and pumpkins, help fight the harmful oxidising effect of the sun’s rays.
The researchers tested their theory by asking one group of study participants to drink a special antioxidant drink every day over a two week period; the other group drank normal beverages. Both groups were exposed to five or six hours of sun daily.
The study participants then had blood tests, which looked for signs of oxidation. Those who had drunk the Mediterranean-diet-based antioxidant drink showed a 50% reduction in oxidation products in the blood.
Further analysis revealed that carotenoids, which are found in red or orange coloured fruit and vegetables, were particularly effective, helping to protect against DNA damage which can lead to skin cancer.
The researchers are keen to point out that eating a Mediterranean diet is not the only course of action people should take to protect themselves, and that wearing sunscreen, a hat and keeping to the shade are also necessary.
First published August 19, 2010