Sunlight shown to help you lose fat

Researchers at University of Alberta[i] accidentally discovered that lack of sunlight causes our cells to store more fat. This could be one of the reasons that more people put on weight during the winter.  Peter Light the senior author of the study said, "When the sun's blue light wavelengths-the light we can see with our eye-penetrate our skin and reach the fat cells just beneath, lipid droplets reduce in size and are released out of the cell. In other words, our cells don't store as much fat.” 

Of course, you need to be careful of overexposure to the sun especially when the UV index is high.  But the research is clear that we need some daily sun exposure for optimal health.  Now how much and when is dependent on your skin type and what the UV index is.  

 Researchers at Monash University[ii] found that daily natural sunlight can help with insomnia and elevate your mood.  Sean Cain, a co-author said, “In this study, we observed that the greater time spent in outdoor light during the day was associated with fewer depressive symptoms, lower odds of using antidepressant medication, better sleep, and fewer symptoms of insomnia.” I have noticed that I get more restful sleep on the days that I get out in the sun.  It also has a calming effect for me.  This is the first time ever that I have been able to get a tan without burning and keep it.  I have started to make sunlight a part of my daily routine when possible and try to get in the sun at least five days a week.  Getting sunlight first thing in the morning helps to correct your circadian rhythm. You also want to make sure to expose as much of your skin as possible to the sun.  So put on your bikini or swimsuit and get outside.

There has been a lot of focus on the consequences of overexposure to sunlight but not a whole lot on the consequences of underexposure to daily natural sunlight.

Another benefit of sunlight is reduction in blood pressure.  Maybe this is what helps calm me down.  A study done at the University of Edinburgh[iii] found that when sunlight touches your skin nitric oxide gets released which helps to lower your blood pressure.  They even go as far to say that daily sunlight can help to prolong your life by reducing your risk for heart attack or stroke.  One of the researchers Richard Weller states, “We suspect that the benefits to heart health of sunlight will outweigh the risk of skin cancer. The work we have done provides a mechanism that might account for this, and also explains why dietary vitamin D supplements alone will not be able to compensate for lack of sunlight.”

[i] https://www.folio.ca/reduced-sunlight-may-contribute-to-winter-weight-gain

[ii] https://www.monash.edu/news/articles/natural-light-may-be-key-to-improving-mood-and-reducing-insomnia2

[iii] Sunshine could benefit health | The University of Edinburgh