Melanin is a pigment found in our skin, hair and irises of our eyes, it is also part of what determines our skin color. Melanin can be found in smaller quantities in the inner ear and brain and is responsible for absorbing UVA and UVB rays to protect us from the sun.
To protect your skin and hair from the, we suggest eating foods rich in Vitamin A, which can help increase melanin production to help you get a more natural tan. Foods which can increase melanin production include carrots, tomatoes, melons, fish and dairy. Keep reading here at oneHOWTO and discover everything you need to know about foods that increase melanin production, as well as how they work.
Stimulate melanin production with carrot
Foods rich in vitamin A encourage melanin production as well as help to maintain its levels in our skin, helping a tan last longer. Carrots are one of our greatest sources of vitamin A. Carrots are composed mainly of beta-carotene, a form of vitamin A that is actively involved in the stimulation of melanin production.
Among its additional benefits, we know that this natural product promotes the formation of retinal pigment in our eyes. If we can get a natural tan from them, it’s a bonus! And if you’re wondering how to increase melanin in the eyes, carrots are your best bet!
For more about the benefits of carrots, we recommend reading our article where we list the main health benefits of carrots.
Melanin rich foods for hair and skin: tomatoe
Foods rich in beta-carotene, such as tomatoes, are another main source of melanin. In addition to eating tomatoes to help with melanin production, we suggest incorporating watermelon into your diet.
For more, read our list of top 10 foods rich in beta carotene.
Melon to increase melanin in the skin
In addition to vitamin A, Vitamin E is also known to improve melanin production in the body. Melon, for example, is not only delicious but contains both vitamin A and vitamin E, making it an ideal option for people looking to get a more natural tan. Additionally, melanin is known for its antioxidant properties, preventing premature skin aging.
For more, we suggest reading about the benefits of vitamin E.
Increase melanin with egg yolk
Egg yolk is another food which holds a high level of vitamin E, which as we’ve already mentioned is a great natural source to help increase melanin in the body. It’s important to know that most of the vitamin E in eggs is concentrated in the yolk.
For more about the benefits of egg for skin, we recommend reading our article where we list effective beauty uses for egg whites.
Dairy to increase melanin in the skin naturally
Dairy products are also a great source of vitamin A, ideal for increasing melanin levels. Furthermore, they are composed of essential amino acids (in certain cases) like tyrosine and cystine, which are fundamental to the production of this pigment in our body.
Tyrosine can also be found in rice, corn, chicken and avocados. Make sure not to go beyond your daily intake of essential or non-essential amino acids. Read, foods high in melatonin and tryptopan.
Foods that increase melanin: fish
In addition to vitamin A and E, we cannot ignore the importance of vitamin D when it comes to protecting our skin from the harmful effects of sunlight. Oily fish such as salmon contain a very high percentage vitamin D which can help boost both melanin production and skin protection.
However, due to its high content of fats, you should avoid eating it daily. For more about the benefits of vitamin D on the skin, we recommend reading our article where we list foods rich in vitamin D.
Berries to increase melanin in the skin
Blueberries and strawberries are rich sources of Vitamin C, another powerful agent that boosts melanin production. Moreover, Blueberry is also a great vitamin E agent, and can help to fight those free radicals that can deter your skin from producing more melanin.
In addition, foods rich in vitamin C are also great for melanin production, such as oranges, red pepper and grapefruit.
For more, we recommend reading our article where we discover how to produce melanin in your body.
Apricot for melanin
All orange colored fruits and vegetables have high beta-carotene and can thus help boost your body's melanin production. Apricot, for example, contains pro-vitamin A carotenoids as well as high amounts of vitamin C. This is why it's one of the best fruits you can eat to boost melanin levels.
Other ways to increase melanin
On the market there are many cosmetic products that promote increased levels of melanin in the body in order to improve skin tanning and maintain good hair color.
However, the use of natural products are always more desirable than synthetic products. No doubt the fastest and most effective way to increase melanin (and make skin darker) is exposure to the sun. However, you should always do this safely. If you do not take care of your skin and hair, the damages may outweigh the benefits.
Finally, under the supervision of a doctor, you can try to include supplements into your diet, such as melanin pills, tyrosine and gingko. Make sure to consult your doctor before taking any type of supplement or medication.
For more about how to increase melanin production in your skin, we suggest taking a look at the following:
- What are melanin pills?
- How to increase melanin in the eyes.
If you want to read similar articles to Which Foods Increase Melanin Production, we recommend you visit our Beauty & Personal Care category.