Raw food dieting promises a number of health benefits from increased energy to weight loss, but if your diet is not balanced, you may be at risk for increased sun sensitivity. It is important to eat foods rich in antioxidants to protect against the sun's harmful rays to help give your skin a fighting chance against sunburn.
A raw food dieter consumes plant-based foods that are uncooked or cooked at temperatures of less that 104 degrees Fahrenheit. The main appeal behind a raw food diet stems from the belief that cooking destroys natural enzymes found in living foods, thereby rendering them less nutritious. Eating foods in their most natural form protects these enzymes and is thus healthier for your body. Raw food dieters eat fruits, vegetables, sprouts, seeds and nuts. Raw beverages include water, freshly squeezed juices and tea that is brewed by the sun.
Benefits and Considerations
Raw food dieting offers a number of positive health benefits. Because a raw food diet is rich in fruits and vegetables, it can support and help manage weight loss, improve heart health, lower blood triglyceride and cholesterol levels, improve vitality, promote energy and help improve your overall quality of life. Those following a raw food diet must make sure to consume an adequate amount of calories as many raw foods may not be calorie dense. Furthermore, raw food dieters may need to take supplements to account for vitamins and minerals that may be lacking in their diet.
How Sunburn Works
Different wavelengths of light can transform skin cells in ways that are detrimental to the body. Long wavelengths of the sun's energy in the form of UVB rays cause sunburn, and even longer wavelengths, UVA rays, make the skin age faster and can cause melanoma. Overexposure to the sun's rays can lead to oxidative stress that can worsen into illnesses like cancer.
Raw Foods and Sunburn
UV rays can damage your skin cells and cause redness and pain, depending on the intensity and exposure to solar radiation. While on a raw food diet, you may be missing out on certain foods that are protective against these harmful UV rays. Olive oil, for example, contains phenols that act as antioxidants. Antioxidants help your body fight oxidative stress caused by harmful exposure to the sun. Furthermore, tomatoes contain lycopene, a bright red carotene that can be digested by the body only after tomatoes have been cooked.
Prevention
To help protect your body from sunburn, always wear sunblock with the advisable amount of SPF coverage for your skin tone. You should also make sure to incorporate foods rich in antioxidants into your diet. Antioxidant-rich foods include those high in vitamin C, vitamin E and selenium. Good examples of these foods are blueberries, brussels sprouts, broccoli, olives, almonds, bell peppers, raspberries and dark leafy green vegetables. If sun sensitivity is a problem for you, contact your doctor to determine the appropriate treatment.
References
- Living and Raw Food: The Living and Raw Foods F.A.Q.
- "Southern Medical Journal": Effects of a Raw Food Diet on Hypertension and Obesity
- VegSource: Raw vs Cooked
- The Medical News: Tomato Paste Helps Fight Sunburn and Wrinkles
- MedlinePlus: Sunburn
- University of Michigan Health System: Photosensitivity
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