For many years, health authorities have warned against excessive sun exposure.
UV rays can damage the skin and increase the risk of skin cancer. According to the Swedish Cancer Society (Cancerfonden), the sun’s radiation contributes to thousands of cases of melanoma in Sweden each year, a situation that also applies to many other countries.
For this reason, people are still advised to avoid sunburn and protect their skin from intense sunlight.
Large study
Researchers at the Karolinska Institute followed nearly 29,000 women over a period of 34 years. The aim of the study, published in the Journal of Internal Medicine, was to examine how different lifestyle habits affect health.
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The researchers found that people who rarely spend time in the sun may have poorer health.
The study identifies a lack of sun exposure as a risk factor alongside well-known factors such as smoking, obesity, and insufficient physical activity.
Surprising findings
Researcher Pelle Lindqvist recommends spending short periods in the sun every day, preferably around midday. He believes it is important to get some sunlight without staying outside long enough to damage the skin.
He is also critical of the way many people use sunscreen.
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According to him, some individuals may feel so protected that they stay in the sun longer than they otherwise would.
According to Pelle Lindqvist and his colleagues, moderate sun exposure may be associated with a lower risk of dying from cancer. At the same time, the researchers emphasize that excessive sun exposure can still increase the risk of melanoma.
Sources: News55, Cancerfonden, and the Journal of Internal Medicine.
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