For many years, the advice has been clear: avoid the sun to protect the skin. Sunscreen, shade, and covering clothing have been central recommendations.
Researchers from the Karolinska Institutet in Sweeden point out that too little sun can negatively affect the body’s circadian rhythm and various functions, writes Dagens PS.
The body’s needs
Sunlight helps the body produce vitamin D, which is important for, among other things, bones and the immune system.
At the same time, the sun’s rays can influence blood pressure through certain processes in the skin.
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Therefore, sunlight plays a greater role in health than previously emphasized.
Especially in Scandinavia, too little sun can lead to a kind of deficiency that may affect overall health.
New findings
A Swedish study published in the Journal of Internal Medicine followed nearly 30,000 women over 20 years to examine the link between sun exposure and health.
The results showed that women who were almost never exposed to the sun had a higher risk of dying earlier, particularly due to cardiovascular diseases.
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However, there were more cases of skin cancer among those who had greater sun exposure, demonstrating that there are also risks and that precautions are necessary.
The study shows that women who consistently avoided the sun had a mortality rate comparable to that of smokers.
This suggests that a moderate amount of sunlight may be important for health.
Sources: Dagens PS and Journal of Internal Medicine.
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