Tomato Powder Shows Promise in Sun Protection

New research on a food supplement comprised of a tomato powder rich in phytoene and phytofluene (as PhytoflORAL® from IBR Ltd.), the colorless carotenoids, showed the duo could improve the natural protection of the skin against the sun, and bring about other beauty and health benefits (Glob Dermatol. 2015; 2(4):178-82). In the study, a group of 22 healthy female volunteers were given an oral supplement of 5 mg/d of phytoene and phytofluene for 12 weeks. (MED) was measured on the back of the volunteers after six and 12 weeks.

The results showed an average increase of 10 percent of minimal erythemal dose (MED), which is the amount of UV radiation that will produce minimal erythema (sunburn or redness caused by engorgement of capillaries) of an individual's skin within a few hours following exposure, in all panelists; in two-thirds of the panelists, an increase of 20 percent was observed after 12 weeks. Erythema after exposure to 1.25 MED was also measured, showing no increase in skin color. Skin quality was reportedly improved in 55 to 95 percent of the volunteers (clinical and subjective assessment).

The researchers concluded that their study, while limited in the number of panelists, showed daily intake of these carotenoids protects the skin from UV radiation by increasing the MED and the skin’s natural resistance to UV induced erythema.