Antioxidants could help boost the effectiveness of sunscreen

Due to increased solar activity and the thinning of the ozone layer, the deadly skin cancer melanoma is being seen more frequently in children. Despite the availability of sunscreens, skin cancer in general is on the rise. A group of chemists have discovered that adding a mixture of antioxidants to sunscreen enhances its protection from UV radiation. In animal studies, they found that a mixture of various topical antioxidants was more effective than any single antioxidant. They're the same things we've been told we should ingest regularly, in order to prevent the free radicals inside our bodies from causing cancer: black and green tea, grape seed ointment (grape juice, like all colorful fruits and vegetables, is a powerful antioxidant) and cranberry extracts. These all helped prevent sunburn when applied to the skin. It's better not to sunbathe at all, because it can lead not only to cancer, but to premature wrinkling and aging of the skin. But we all want to go to the beach occasionally. When you do, you'll soon be able to pack a sunscreen with antioxidants in it. Look for these soon in your local drug store. Antioxidants are the parts of foods that are the best for us. Not eating isn't always the best way to lose weight and stay healthy---what we eat matters even more!