Sunlight is very important to us, for example, without light there is virtually no life. Indeed, the entire ecosystem is largely dependent on light.
Here are some of the key reasons why sunlight is so important:
Vitamin D synthesis
Sunlight is the main source of vitamin D, an essential nutrient for the body. When the skin is exposed to sunlight, it converts a form of cholesterol in the skin into vitamin D. Vitamin D plays a crucial role in promoting healthy bone growth, strengthening the immune system and maintaining proper muscle function.
Mood and mental health
Exposure to sunlight affects our mood and recovery. Sunlight stimulates the production of serotonin, a neurotransmitter responsible for your mood, sleep quality and recovery, among other things. When enough daylight reaches your optic nerve, this nerve transmits a signal to your brain. This triggers processes that affect how you feel. The more daylight you catch the better it is for your mood and energy levels. A lack of sunlight can even lead to a form of depression during the winter months when there is less sunlight.
Circadian rhythm
Sunlight plays a crucial role in our circadian rhythm, also known as the internal biological clock. Exposure to daylight in the morning helps balance our biorhythm, the sleep-wake cycle.
It helps promote alertness during the day and sound relaxing and restorative sleep at night.
Skin health
Moderate exposure to sunlight can have benefits for skin health. Sunlight can help produce melanin, a pigment that protects the skin from the effects of UV radiation. In addition, sunlight can have positive effects in certain skin conditions such as psoriasis, acne and eczema.
Good to know further
Vitamin D production in the skin stops as soon as the skin turns red. Sunscreen also blocks at least 95% of vitamin D production in the skin. It is therefore best to go out in the sun for 5-10 minutes without applying sunscreen, or shorter if your skin turns red more quickly. You can make a lot of units of vitamin D in that short time.
For the synthesis of vitamin D in its active form, a proportionately large amount of the mineral magnesium is needed. Magnesium is also needed for your energy balance. So when you spend a lot and a long time in the sun, you also consume more magnesium. If you feel tired after a day at the beach, it could very well be because your magnesium level is somewhat low.
As with most things, too much of a good thing can have a negative effect. In fact, much exposure to UV radiation can cause sunburn, accelerate skin aging and increase the risk of skin cancer. Therefore, it is important to use the sun wisely and protect your skin from the negative effects of too much sun.
