However, in recent years many studies have questioned how effective supplements are in reducing rates of osteoporosis. A lack of vitamin D has been associated with both osteoporosis, rickets and autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA).Ī review by the Cochrane Library found that the rates of falls in elderly people – which are partly down to the effects of brittle bones – could be cut by more than a quarter if the elderly were given supplements of vitamin D. Vitamin D is also crucial for helping our body to absorb calcium, which is responsible for strengthening your bones. Researchers in China, who conducted a study on post-menopausal women, identified a link between low levels of vitamin D and low levels of oestrogen, the female sex hormone. The experts put this down to the role of vitamin D, which is produced after exposure to sunlight. In turn, this helps to balance mood, sex drive and cognitive function. Researchers at Medical University of Graz in Austria found that spending just one hour in the sun can boost a man’s testosterone levels by 69 per cent. Our sex drive is given a liftīelieve it or not, even our sex drive is affected by time spent in the sun. Time spent in the sun can help us sleep soundly. Research shows that our amygdala – the emotional part of the brain – is significantly more reactive after a bad night’s sleep, meaning we are more likely to feel cranky throughout the day if we have spent the night tossing and turning. Melatonin also helps to regulate our circadian rhythm – the body’s internal clock that signals when to be alert and when to rest – which can be thrown out of sync by exposure to blue light from technology, disrupted work patterns and light pollution. This encourages feelings of drowsiness, allowing us to drift off easier at night, which leads to us feeling happier in the day. Regular exposure to sunlight encourages the production of melatonin – the hormone which helps to regulate the body’s sleep-wake cycle. However, most experts also agree that the increased sun cancer risk negates the feel good factor. Although the connection isn’t entirely established yet, researchers speculate this could be down to the way UV light forces melanocytes, the cells that produce dark pigment in skin, to release endorphins. There is even research to show that people who use tanning beds may experience more frequent feelings of euphoria, which could explain why people develop a dependence on regular sessions. Increased levels of this hormone generally lead to greater feelings of satisfaction and calmness and lower levels of depression and anxiety. One study undertaken in Australia found that people had higher levels of serotonin on bright sunny days than cloudy ones. There is plenty of research to back up this idea. It’s also why people are more likely to develop Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) when the shorter autumn days arrive and we creep into winter with fewer daylight hours. This is down to the link between sunlight and our serotonin levels – the hormone that makes us feel happy. Most of us will agree that it’s hard to feel unhappy in the sun. Why are we so happy during a heatwave? The sun boosts our mood Many of us are planning barbecues and garden parties stocking up on SPF and sussing out how to keep cool as we sleep during the hot weather.īut what is it about the sunshine that makes us feel so happy? Here is the science behind why those rays are so good for us. The sun puts many of us in a cheerful mood – so it’s a good thing the UK is having a heatwave.
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