The UK is heading for another heatwave, and while it’s important to stay safe during the high temperatures, it is the perfect opportunity for our bodies to benefit from the sunshine.
There are many risks that come with exposure to the sun’s warm rays, from heatstroke to skin cancer. But as temperatures in the UK are set to soar to 37⁰C this week, research suggests that there are a number of surprising health benefits one can receive from the sunshine.
UV and skin cancer
Ultraviolet radiation (also known as UV) is a form of radiation, naturally emitted by the sun, and comes in three types: UVB, UVA and UVC. UVB is the primary cause of sunburn, and while UVA contributes to skin ageing, it is UVC that is perhaps the most dangerous of the three; however, this is blocked by the ozone layer and therefore doesn’t reach the surface of the earth. Sunburn is a sign that skin cells are being damaged by UV, and a warning that it is time to cover up or go indoors. Too much UV can damage the DNA in your skin cells, and an accumulation of this damage over time can lead to skin cancer.[1]
But getting some rays is not entirely bad. Here are a few health benefits which you may experience during the heatwave this week…
Sun, sea and vitamin D
Summer is almost always synonymous with holidays – and if you’re going to a beach this summer to catch some sun, your bones may benefit from it too. While too much UV exposure can damage our skin cells, we do need some of it for our health. Vitamin D plays a central role in maintaining healthy bones, by helping our bodies absorb phosphate and calcium from the food we eat. Vitamin D precursor molecules, i.e. those that go on to become vitamin D, are naturally present in the skin and are activated by UVB.[2] In recent years there has been a public health drive to reduce sun exposure, due to its links with skin cancer – however, this could potentially cause a vitamin D deficiency, which could be detrimental to people’s bones. It is therefore important to find the right balance of sufficient sun exposure for vitamin D synthesis, and the use of sun protection measures, such as sunscreen, to reduce risk of DNA damage.[3]
Sunshine and serotonin
It’s no coincidence that many people feel happier when the sun is out. Exposure to sunlight triggers the release of serotonin in the brain; the chemical associated with a positive mood and feelings of happiness and well-being. When sunlight hits the retina of the eye, it triggers the release of serotonin. Studies have shown that decreased sun exposure is associated with a decrease in serotonin levels, which can lead to seasonal affective disorder (SAD), also known as major depression with seasonal pattern.[4]
Catch some sun to reduce pressure
According to research from the University of Southampton, sunshine could even be good for your heart, as exposing skin to sunlight may help reduce blood pressure. The research shows that sunlight changes the concentration of nitric oxide, a small messenger molecule, in the skin and blood, reducing blood pressure, and decreasing the risk of stroke, heart attack and cardiovascular disease.[5]
Conclusion
To some, a heatwave means nothing but bad news, and while it’s paramount to stay safe in the sun, there are some benefits to a little bit more sunshine – the important thing is to achieve a balance between the two, and, as they say, look on the sunny side of life!
By Marta Zima
