{"id":163337,"date":"2024-06-21T16:42:00","date_gmt":"2024-06-21T22:42:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tecscience.tec.mx\/en\/?p=163337"},"modified":"2024-12-10T17:07:20","modified_gmt":"2024-12-10T23:07:20","slug":"sunbathing-benefits","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tecscience.tec.mx\/en\/health\/sunbathing-benefits\/","title":{"rendered":"The Benefits Of Sunbathing For Our Immune System"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Sunbathing <\/strong>has multiple health benefits,<\/strong> including vitamin D<\/strong> production and boosting our immune system<\/strong>. However, given the increase in skin cancer cases<\/a> over the last few decades, experts recommend limiting our exposure to 5<\/strong> to 20 minutes<\/strong> a day, depending on the season’s year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dermatologist M\u00f3nica Morcos Gonz\u00e1lez<\/a>, of TecSalud<\/a>, tells us in an interview with TecScience<\/em><\/strong> that it isn\u2019t common to talk about the positive aspects of sunbathing, as specialists usually focus on risks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nevertheless, the first thing to consider is that the sun <\/strong>rules our circadian cycle, that is, the internal clock<\/strong> that regulates the cycles of sleep and wakefulness<\/strong>. Therefore, according to the experts, exposing ourselves to its rays improves our willingness to sleep at night.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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What Other Benefits Do We Get From Sunbathing?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In addition to improving our quality of sleep, sunbathing<\/strong> has other benefits <\/strong>such as: achieving optimal levels of vitamin D<\/strong>, strengthening our defenses<\/strong> and raising our serotonin <\/strong>levels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“To strengthen our immune system<\/strong>, it\u2019s proving that you have to sunbathe and another thing that improves are the levels of vitamin D<\/strong> in blood,” says Morcos Gonz\u00e1lez.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The specialist explains that when the skin is exposed to the sun, a precursor of cholesterol is converted into pre-vitamin D3<\/strong> which, subsequently, when passed through the bloodstream, is transformed into vitamin D<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It should be mentioned that 80%<\/strong> of the vitamin D<\/strong> that our body receives comes from the sun<\/strong> and we can only get 20%<\/strong> of it through food<\/strong>, according to the expert.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why Is Vitamin D Important?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This vitamin is known to be beneficial for bones<\/strong>, as it helps absorb calcium<\/strong>. Likewise, it promotes skin health<\/strong> and increases the production of serotonin<\/strong>, which improves mood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Regarding this last point, Morcos Gonz\u00e1lez points out: \u201cwe know that 20% of the population that lives in places where there is little sun, such as the Nordic countries, suffers from winter depression <\/strong>due to lack of sunlight<\/strong>.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The dermatologist also shares with us that many patients come to her office due to hair loss problems<\/strong>, which, in most cases, are related to low levels of vitamin D<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

About the use of sunscreen, the specialist mentions: \u201cI found an article that says that you can enjoy these benefits even if you put it on, but I think it is better to get a little sun and get it directly.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finally, Morcos Gonz\u00e1lez recommends sunbathing<\/strong> for 5 to 10 minutes<\/strong> a day during the summer<\/strong>, while if it\u2019s winter<\/strong> it could be up to 20<\/strong>. It isn\u2019t necessary to expose the entire body, 40% is enough.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Can We Protect Ourselves From the Risks of Being in The Sun?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although the expert explained to us the benefits of sunbathing <\/strong>between 5 and 20 minutes <\/strong>a day (depending on the time of year), if we expose ourselves for a longer time<\/strong>, whether for recreation or work, the National Institutes of of Health<\/a> (NIH) from US recommends:<\/p>\n\n\n\n