The dietary ingestion of nutrient photoprotection of the diet is associated with lesser reactivity of the skin the solar exposition

Abstract

Objective: To relate the intake of photo protective dietary nutrients to the reactivity of the skin to UV exposure. Materials and methods: Two hundred and twelve individuals participated on the study, of which 60 were and 152 were women. The population was composed by adultos and young adults vacationing in Xangrilá beach (in the south of Brazil). Data such as photo type (skin reactivity to sun exposure), body mass index, frequency and quantity of dietary photo protective food sources were obtained through a questionnaire. In order to evaluate the skin photo type the Fitzpatrick Scale was used and the individuals divided in 2 groups: photo types I and II ( the ones that would burn) and photo types III and IV( the ones that would tan). Results: For photo types III and IV there was a greater frequency (F) of olive oil (p= 0,01), plum (p= 0,02), and grape juice (p= 0,02) intake and a significant quantity [Q] of tomato intake (p= 0,05) . As for the concomitant quantity and frequency of whole rice ([F] p= 0,06 and [Q] p= 0,02) and whole bread ([F] p= 0,01) and [Q] (0,01) intake they were negatively associated with a lesser reactivity of the skin. As for the frequency (>= 5 times a week) of photo protective foods intake we found milk, olive oil and vegetable oils and the food that was rarely or never consumed was the kiwi fruit. Conclusion: There was an association among a diversity of dietary nutrients and the reactivity of the skin on this study with individuals vacationing in the southern coast of Brazil. Nevertheless, there was an association between the intake of photo protective dietary nutrients with the less sensitive photo types, which made us wonder about a possible association to be investigated in further studies.