5 Superfoods To Eat Today

These superfoods not only help you keep the pounds off; they can prevent summer's bummers. Yep, even bug bites.

Strawberries

Block sunburn
They have ellagic acid, a compound that protects against UV radiation, an animal study in Experimental Dermatology finds. This acid works by reducing the release of molecules linked to inflammation—which can lead to that telltale lobster look. Plus, the acid preserves skin-smoothing collagen. Adios, wrinkles.

Green tea

Shrinks your stomach
Meet your bikini-body secret weapon. The brew's antioxidants may help block fat absorption, data from Penn State in University Park notes. Mice eating green tea extract put on pounds more slowly than tea-free mice. About 2 cups a day in hot, chilled or ice-pop form may help us slim down, too.

Garlic

Kicks ticks
People who popped garlic pills (1,200 milligrams, the equivalent of two cloves a day) got fewer tick bites than those who took placebo pills, The Journal of the American Medical Association shows. Garlic may change the way you taste to bugs, turning off the bloodsuckers. Eat the bulb, or try supplements if the smell is too much for you.

Leafy greens

Double as shades
When eyes are exposed to excess sunlight over time, it can trigger cataracts and macular degeneration. Before you tune out, know that these "granny problems" can start to develop as early as your 20s and 30s. Load up now on dark greens (spinach, kale) for their lutein and zeaxanthin, compounds that can filter out damaging blue-light rays.

Tart-cherry juice

Gives you staying power
It's outdoor-sports time, but postexercise soreness can cramp your summer-partying style. Stay loose with this juice. Runners who drank it pre-race had 67 percent less pain afterward than nonsippers, the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition indicates. Tart cherries pack anthocyanins, antioxidants that reduce inflammation.

Superfoods are, well, super! Get 10 more to add to your plate here.

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