Stay under the sun long enough and your skin will turn evenly bronze – tanned. Beautifully tanned skin surely looks attractive in summer, when we wear fewer clothes. As it turns out, you can tan much faster, if you eat certain foods before going to the beach. Which foods?
Foods to Boost the Melanin Production
First of all, foods that help faster the melanin production, which is the main “culprit” behind the suntan, are those rich in Vitamin A and carotene; they are often added to the cosmetics that assist tanning. Those foods include: watermelon, melon, apricots, peaches, carrots, spinach, eggs, fish and olive oil.
Calcium for the Perfect Tan
Such substances as tyrosine and calcium also help you get a tan faster. Those are found in sufficient amounts in cottage cheese and cheeses – white cheeses in particular.
Vitamin E for a Beautiful Suntan
Tomatoes also contribute to the melanin production and other foods rich in bioflavonoids and Vitamin E, such as pistachios and cultured milk foods. In general adding Vitamin E to your nutrition is not a bad idea. Considering the fact that sun rays can harm your skin by drying it out, this will help reduce the damage your body receives during sunbathing.
Tangerine Oil to Help Get a Perfect Suntan
Start the vitamin consumption early, at least a week before you leave for the beach. Once you are there, fragrant oil of tangerines will come quite handy. If you plan to stay under the sun for quite a while, have some juice with a drop of the oil half an hour before going outside. The oil will protect you from sunburn and help prevent development of pigment spots on the skin.
What to Eat on the Beach for a Better Suntan
One more thing – it’s better go to the beach half an hour after having a meal. Have some pure water handy to maintain your body water balanced. Try to avoid soft drinks and juices at the beach.
June 20th, 2008 at 7:28 pm
Whenever I take sunbathing, I never have the patience to get the tan I dream of. I’m always whiter, than anyone else on the beach. Maybe it’s because I eat something wrong? Would following these tips help me get that tan?
June 24th, 2008 at 7:32 pm
That’s not only diet, but also your skin type and the creams you use on the beach to protect your skin from the sun rays. Use oil - it can help you get the tan faster. By the way, you could also visit solarium, so that you spend less time for just lying on the beach and waiting for the tan. I always do so.
July 11th, 2008 at 9:54 am
We went to South America and toured many countries as we love the beach and all it has to offer. Being tanning fanatics, my husband and I tried a new tanning oil, or at least new to us, called Miami Gold Super Serious Tanning Oil. WOW! We’re dark already, but this stuff allowed me to get darker and my husband actually got a liitle burn which later turned golden brown. You can find this oil at miamigoldoil.com and it smells awesome!
See ya at the beach!
September 10th, 2008 at 9:12 pm
I hope eating these melanin boosting foods will help me tan… When I was younger I turned brown. Now I seem to have freckles and tan very little! My twin brother tans very fast and a lovely golden brown and my mother also.
Frankly I’m tired of using fake tanning lotions and taking so long to tan! Also, what is strange is that only my arms have freckles and a little on my nose and nowhere else on my body!
I hope you can answer my question as to why I take longer to tan than when I was young and my twin brother tans so well! Perhaps it is my diet. And maybe I should eat the foods you suggested?
Thankyou for taking the time to read my frustrating questions!