A new study conducted by Korean researchers revealed that ellagic acid, an antioxidant present in raspberries, strawberries, cranberries and pomegranates, helps contain skin damage because of ultraviolet (UV) rays.

Ji-Young Bae, lead researcher of the study carried out at the Hallym University in South Korea, said, “An antioxidant found in berries and nuts can act as potential sun block and shield skin from harmful UV rays.”

The researchers said that ellagic acid forbids collagen destruction and inflammatory response, the major causes of wrinkles in the human cells.

To come to the conclusion, the researchers exposed twelve mice to increasing UV radiation thrice on a weekly basis for eight weeks.

Half of the mice were given 10 microM topical applications of ellagic acid on the surface of their skin on a daily basis.

The results showed that mice exposed to the UV radiation without the antioxidant developed wrinkles and thickening of the skin.

On the other hand, the mice that had ellagic acid showed reduced wrinkle formation and inflammatory response because of protection from the degradation of collagen.

Ellagic acid works as an anti-photoaging agent blockading creation of MMP (Matrix metalloproteinase enzymes) that collapses collagen in injured skin cells and cutting the expression of ICAM both responsible for skin damage due to UV rays.