Although there is no substitute for applying layers of sunscreen for sun protection, there are some diets with certain foods that can protect your skin from the harmful effects of the sun. The gut-brain-skin axis helps the skin stay in constant communication with the digestive tract. Therefore, when your digestive tract has healthy food and a balance between good and bad bacteria, your skin automatically feels healthy.

It also has a strong effect on the condition and appearance of the skin and can also help in the prevention of melanoma and other skin cancers. In a recent skin cancer study, it was shown that some antioxidants that are a part of your diet can help in preventing damage to the DNA and reducing the cancerous growths that can be caused by exposure to UV rays. Here are a few foods that can really help in the prevention of melanoma and other skin cancer types:

1. Oats
Avoiding high-carb breakfast meals which include bagels, muffins, and toasts can prove to be highly beneficial as far as the health of your skin is concerned. These foods contain a high glycemic index. It means that they get digested in the body and turn into blood sugar very quickly. Foods with a high glycemic index are never considered to be healthy for the skin. On the contrary, oatmeal for breakfast is a low glycemic meal and has also been linked with the prevention of cancer. It is no wonder that oats rank high on many nutritionists’ lists of healthy breakfast foods.

2. Yogurt
A recent study showed that the balance between good and bad bacteria in the skin, also known as its microbiome, plays a crucial role in protecting against cancer. Researchers also found that a strain of bacteria found in the skin could produce a chemical that can kill cancer cells. The skin’s balance of good and bad bacteria is linked with the microbiome of our gut. Thus, consuming probiotics can prove to be highly beneficial for the health of your skin. Certain strains of probiotics have been known to protect the skin from UV rays damage, while others play a crucial role in repairing the damage caused by the sun’s rays.

3. Coffee
According to some studies, coffee can protect your skin from cancerous cells. In fact, coffee contains antioxidants, which play an important role in fighting free radicals. These free radicals are responsible for causing premature aging and sun damage to the skin. There have been several studies linking the consumption of coffee with fighting skin cancer.

4. Leafy green vegetables
The Mediterranean diet that focuses on the consumption of plants has been associated with protection against skin cancer. Green leafy vegetables are loaded with antioxidants such as vitamins A and C. These play an important role in reducing and preventing skin damage and also boost the repairing process of the body.