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May 2, 2008, 11:38 am
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A common amount of tomatoes paste 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 sun induced skin aging.

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 aging 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."

It's getting to be planting season. Get out the tomato seeds and plant them. Then it'll be tomato paste making time at the end of summer. You'll be protected all winter and have tasty sauce too!

Yea, I saw that on discovery health. I was amazed to see it actually worked.

They say a good way to eat tomatoe paste if you don't already eat enough tomatoe based food is to spread a little tomatoe paste on a cracker.

What will they think of next? I hadn't heard this until I checked in on this site today.

Tomato paste to help protect your skin against UV rays. Who would have thought?

With all the pizza and pasta I eat, no wonder I never tan.

I knew there was a good reason I love tomato paste. I could eat a whole can (and actually did while pregnant, several times)

Yuck! I hate tomato paste. How do people eat that stuff? If you get sunburn very easily then I know so a reason to, but to those who don't and eat it because they 'love' it, that's weird and nasty!

I can't say I ever eat tomato paste unless I'm making chili and it came out too thin. I do eat tomatoes on all other sorts of things though as they are obviously healthy for you. A very nice side effect I would think.

I too hate tomato paste but to eat it on a cracker plain yuck! There are other ways to fight skin damage.

Hey that is some good info though especially for those of us living in places like AZ...