Nancy Dell: Edible sunscreen; Raspberry ketones for wt loss

CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) -  

1. I think of sunscreen all summer but less after August. I want to prevent wrinkles. Aren't there foods that protect me from the sun?
Leah, Internet

Plants need to protect themselves from sun damage just as we do. The color pigments and nutrients in plants do the job so when we eat them we get the sun protection as well.

Experts say eat at least 1 orange colored fruit or vegetable a day for betacarotene. We know it protects the skin because if you eat too much, your skin may actually turn orange. Try peaches, carrots, cantaloupe, butternut squash, sweet potato and mango.

A 2011 study in the British Journal of Dermatology found that lycopene protects us from sunburn. Lycopene is the red pigment in tomatoes, watermelon, and red peppers.

The Archives of Dermatology Research reports that you can reduce your risk of skin cancer by eating more tea, cocoa, grape seed, onions and apples. They all contain polyphenols that do the job and may even reverse skin tumor growth.

2. Will raspberry ketones help me lose weight? I see some Doctors on TV promoting it but no studies discussed.
Joyce, Internet

The raspberry ketones are the part of the raspberry that provides aroma. They are present in very small amounts in raspberries so what you find in supplements may be synthetic.

There are no studies in humans but in 2005 a study in mice fed a high fat diet did not gain weight and broke down fat when given raspberry ketones. Fat breakdown was also shown in a cell experiment.

It is considered safe as a food additive but there are no safety studies for the doses we find in supplements. So the experts at consumerlab.com suggest people with any complications like high blood pressure, heart disease or diabetes avoid raspberry ketones until more research is done.