Tomatoes could be the new weapon in the fight against sun damage,
research at the universities of Newcastle and Manchester has
revealed.
Eating tomato paste could help protect against sunburn and
suninduced skin ageing.
In the study, researchers compared the skin of 20 people, half of
whom were given five tablespoons (55g) of standard tomato paste with
10g of olive oil every day, with the other half receiving just olive
oil, over a period of 12 weeks.
The skin was exposed to ultraviolet (UV) light, which is found
naturally in sunlight, at the beginning and end of the trial.
The team found significant improvements in the skin's ability to
protect itself against UV in the group who had been eating tomato
paste.
Professor Lesley Rhodes, dermatologist at Manchester University,
said: "The tomato diet boosted the level of procollagen in the skin
significantly. These increasing levels suggest potential reversal of
the skin ageing process. This is in addition to the significant
reduction in sunburn.
"These weren't huge amounts of tomato. It was the sort of
quantity you would easily manage if you were eating a lot of tomato-based meals.
"People should not think that tomatoes in any way can replace sun
creams, but they may be a good additive. If you can improve your
protection through your diet then over several years, this may have
a significant effect."
Many of the harmful effects of UV light are due to the excess
production of harmful molecules which can damage important skin
structures. Sun damage from UV exposure includes premature wrinkles
and skin cancer.
The tomato's key skin saving property is a powerful antioxidant,
called lycopene, which is able to neutralise or "quench" the harmful
molecules.
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