For people living in the tropics, it is very important to understand the value of sunlight.

There has always been talk that UV radiation from the sun can cause many kinds of skin cancers and because of this people have started to avoid sunlight, but this avoidance has serious repercussions.

MedicalNewsToday states that “just as it is important for people to protect themselves from too much sun, they should also make sure that they get enough to enjoy the health benefits of sunlight. Finding the right balance can help people maintain optimal levels of vitamin D and enjoy the mental health benefits of a sunny day without placing themselves at risk”.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic Caribbean nationals are so used to being inside, out of the heat of the sun’s rays, that they have been deliberately avoiding being in the sun without recognising that they are putting their health at risk through vitamin deficiency.

Being in sunlight initiates the process of producing vitamin D in the body. When UVB rays hit human skin, they interact with the 7-DHC protein there to produce vitamin D3.

Granted, people can get vitamin D from supplements and their diet, but sunlight is an important source of this essential nutrient. Vitamin D is necessary for key biological processes to take place in the body. Its benefits include:

* Managing calcium levels

* Supporting the immune system and glucose metabolism

* Reducing inflammation

* Supporting healthy bones

Some research indicate that there may be a link between lower blood pressure levels and exposure to the sun, with reduced death rates from cardiovascular issues. The suggestion is that exposure to sunlight triggers the skin to release stores of nitrogen oxides, which cause arteries to dilate, lowering blood pressure and may reduce the impact of metabolic syndrome.

There are other research which conclude that increased sun exposure could also protect people from diseases such as:

* Type 1 diabetes

* Several forms of cancer, including colon, breast, and prostate as well as non-Hodgkin lymphoma

* Multiple sclerosis (MS)

Sunlight is said to support better sleep and sets people’s circadian rhythms by regulating the levels of serotonin and melatonin.

In a recent conversation with Frank, a teacher of the sciences and an informal nutritionist, it was explained that although the Caribbean is in the tropics, too many people avoid sunlight and ordinarily a person must get the equivalent of one hour of sunlight per day to maximise health benefits. Frank states that this does not mean that a person has to stand in the sun for an hour but rather engage in short-term activities outside until at least an hour’s worth of sunlight is achieved.

He further stated that, for the Caucasian, the amount of sunlight needed per day is merely 15 minutes as they do not have the melanin to be out in the sun’s rays for longer. Additionally, as one ages, or gains weight, more sunlight is needed to reap health benefits associated with sunlight.

Scientists think the sun’s rays may shrink fat cells below your skin’s surface, thereby reducing fat. The UVB rays causes human skin to produce beta-endorphins. These are hormones that reduce pain. Other benefits include:

* Promoting a sensation of well-being and improving mood

* Promoting relaxation

* Helping people feel more alert

* Boosting the immune system

* Relieving pain

* Helping wounds heal

* Increasing job satisfaction when a person’s workplace has access to sunlight

* Reducing depression

The next time you consider hiding from sunlight remember that the National Institute of Mental Health in the US says that the following characteristics put people at higher risk of developing depression and seasonal affective disorder (SAD):

* Having a family member who has experienced SAD

* A history of depression, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), anxiety, or other mental disorders

* Living far away from the equator

Note should be taken that four out of five people with SAD are female. Women need sunlight.

WebMD states, “Most people get enough vitamin D from food, [but] children who don’t, can get rickets, which softens and weakens their bones.”

Engage in a reflective exercise. Ask yourself if prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, when you were outside more, did you used to feel the same lethargy and pain you are feeling now.

If your answer is in the negative, it might mean you are lacking sufficient sunlight. The same sunlight that tourists from all over the world pay big bucks to enjoy, we in the tropics, who have it for free, are running away from. How ironic!

For all this, remember that too much of one thing isn’t good; therefore, it is also important that you do not spend too much time in the sun. As beneficial as sunlight is, too much can also cause damage to one’s health, from minor issues, such as sunburn, to major issues, such as some cancers.

Sunlight is good for everyone, young or old. WebMD states that, “Moderate amounts of sun over your lifetime, especially in your teen and young adult years, might make you less likely to have problems seeing things at a distance (near-sightedness). But too much direct sunlight can hurt your eyes. It can lead to blurred vision and raise your chances of cataracts.”

Balance is the order of the day, even with something as simple as sunlight.

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