A new warning suggests that completely avoiding the sun may carry significant health risks. Indeed, experts say getting too little sunshine could be nearly as harmful as smoking.
This comes from a long-term study of almost 30,000 women which investigated the impact of sun exposure on lifespan. Researchers tracked participants for two decades and discovered striking differences in health outcomes depending on how much sunlight they received. The research, conducted by scientists at the Karolinska Institute, followed 29,518 Swedish women aged between 25 and 64. Participants were monitored for approximately 20 years as part of the Melanoma in Southern Sweden cohort study.
Women were questioned about their habits around sun exposure, including whether they actively avoided sunlight. These behaviours were then grouped into three categories: active avoidance, moderate exposure and frequent exposure.
The findings were remarkable. According to the study published in the Journal of Internal Medicine, women who avoided the sun had roughly double the risk of dying from all causes compared with those who had the highest exposure.
Researchers also made a surprising comparison with smoking. Non-smokers who avoided the sun had a similar life expectancy to smokers who were exposed to the most sunlight.
Lead researcher Dr Pelle Lindqvist said the findings indicated that shunning sun exposure could be « a risk factor for death of a similar magnitude as smoking. »
The women who avoided the sun also forfeited an estimated 0.6 to 2.1 years of life compared with those who routinely spent time outdoors.
Scientists believe numerous biological mechanisms could account for the connection between sunlight and improved health. One of the most recognised is the generation of vitamin D when the skin is exposed to ultraviolet B rays.
Vitamin D performs a crucial role in bone strength, immune function and cardiovascular health. According to the NHS, the vitamin is primarily produced through sunlight exposure rather than diet alone.
Researchers also believe sunlight may affect the body in other ways. Exposure to UV rays can prompt the release of nitric oxide from the skin, which helps reduce blood pressure and supports heart health.
The study discovered cardiovascular disease was the primary cause of the elevated mortality amongst people who shunned the sun. Women who kept out of sunlight were more prone to die from heart disease and other non-cancer ailments.
Nevertheless, experts emphasise the findings do not suggest people should begin sunbathing for extended periods. Excessive UV exposure remains a recognised risk factor for skin cancers such as melanoma.
Instead, scientists say the answer may lie in moderation. Moderate sunlight exposure without burning may deliver health benefits whilst still protecting the skin.
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