Do you know how much your body benefits from moderate sun exposure?
Below are some of the health benefits of basking in the sun:
1. Basking in the sun strengthens your bone health. The sun is the major source of vitamin D. Vitamin D stimulates the absorption of bone-strengthening calcium and phosphorus in the body.
2. Maintains blood pressure. Basking in the sun keeps you safe from stroke and heart attack. This is because when the early morning sunlight reaches us, it releases a compound called nitric oxide, which helps in lowering our blood pressure. By maintaining our blood pressure, sunlight also ensures that our heart is healthy and we lead a comparatively long life.
3. Sun exposure improves brain functioning. Basking in the sun triggers the growth of nerve cell in the hippocampus, a small region of the brain that comprises a part of the limbic system. This results in better functioning of the region responsible for storing memories and spatial navigation.
4. Exposure to early morning sun has a healing effect. Sunlight promotes healing of skin issues such as acne, psoriasis, eczema, jaundice and other fungal skin infections. However, it is always important to consult your dermatologist.
5. Strengthens immune system. Exposing your body to the sun leads to the increase of white blood cells count in the blood vessels. The white blood cells defend the body against infection.
6. Sunlight lowers cholesterol. The sun converts high cholesterol in the blood into steroid hormones and the sex hormones we need for reproduction.