The health benefits of sunlight

The best-known benefit of sunlight is its ability to boost the body’s vitamin D supply.

Unlike other essential vitamins, which must be obtained from food, vitamin D can be synthesized in the skin through a photosynthetic reaction triggered by exposure to UVB radiation.

There has been a growing appreciation for vitamin D’s impact on bone health in adults. In August 2007, the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research published Effectiveness and Safety of Vitamin D in Relation to Bone Health, a systematic review of 167 studies that found “fair evidence” of an association between concentrations and either increased bone-mineral density or reduced falls in older people.

The sun also improves your sleep

Your body creates a hormone called melatonin that is critical to helping you sleep. Because your body starts producing it when it’s dark, you usually start to feel sleepy two hours after the sun sets, which is one of the reasons our bodies naturally stay up later in the summer.

Sunshine regulates your circadian rhythm by telling your body when to increase and decrease your melatonin levels. So, the more daylight exposure you can get, the better your body will produce melatonin when it’s time to go to sleep.

Reduces stress

Melatonin also lowers stress, and being outside will help your body naturally regulate melatonin, which can help reduce your stress level.

Strengthens your immune system

Vitamin D is also critical for your immune system, and with consistent exposure to sunlight, you can help strengthen it. A healthy immune system can help reduce the risk of illness, infections, some cancers, and mortality after surgery.

Fights off depression

Sunshine boosts your body’s level of serotonin, which is a chemical that improves your mood and helps you stay calm and focused.

Can give you a longer life

A study that followed 30,000 Swedish women revealed that those who spent more time in the sun lived six months to two years longer than those with less sun exposure.

Helps your skin

Another benefit of the sun is that it can actually treat skin conditions, according to the World Health Organization. Doctors have recommended UV radiation exposure to treat things like psoriasis, acne, jaundice, and eczema.

Lowers blood pressure

“It’s thought that exposure to sunlight triggers the skin to release stores of nitrogen oxides, which cause arteries to dilate, lowering blood pressure,” says Dr. Parcells, a board-certified plastic surgeon. This exposure actually comes from UV rays, not visible light itself. When your blood pressure is lower, it’s good for your overall cardiovascular health.

Lowers risk of metabolic syndrome

A 2020 study in mice suggested that the sun’s light can help decrease the risk of developing metabolic syndrome, which includes high blood pressure, excess body fat, and high blood sugar. This might be because a certain wavelength in sunlight can travel deep enough in your body to have an effect on certain types of adipose (fat) tissue that might protect against metabolic syndrome.

 

Prevents cancer

Certain cancers have been linked to lower levels of vitamin D.

So why not get out in the sun now the days are getting longer.

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