SUNBATHING could improve the health of pasty Brits, a study suggests.
Specialists of Edinburgh The university considers that the benefits of extra ultraviolet rays for the sun-starved outweigh the risks of sunburn.
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They said people in the “low light environments” of Scotland and the North are especially in need.
Sunlight is known to improve health by replenishing vitamin D, reducing stress and lowering blood pressure.
Data from 395,000 people in the UK revealed that Cornish beach dwellers had 19% lower rates of heart disease and 12% less cancer than those living in the cities of Glasgow or Edinburgh.
The study, published in the journal Health and Place, suggests that Southerners experience health improvements from increased exposure to ultraviolet light.
It even found that using sunbeds – which can cause skin cancer, according to Cancer Research UK and the World Health Organization – seemed to reduce the risk of premature death.
Professor Richard Weller said: “Traditionally, dermatologists have only considered possible skin damage caused by sunlight.
“When the UV index is very high, protecting the skin is important.
“However, this research shows that in the UK, the balance between benefits and risks of exposure to sunlight is likely to be very different to that in sunnier countries.”
Daylight hours are longer as you go south and the Met Office says the climate tends to be hotter and drier.
Figures show Manchester has one of the darkest climates in Europe, with just 1,265 hours of sunshine a year.
Southampton receives an average of 1,706 hours compared to 1,427 in Edinburgh.
Limassol, in Cyprus, records the highest number of hours in Europe, with 3,415 hours, followed by cities in Spain, Portugal and Greece.
Citizens of other northern countries, such as Norway, Sweden and Denmark, could benefit from more time in the sun, the study says.
The research found that the risk of melanoma skin cancer for sun lovers was higher, but the relative risk of dying from it was not.
Professor Chris Dibben added: “The increased risk of skin cancer appears to be offset by a greater reduction in the risk of death from cancer and heart disease.”
Experts have warned that Brits should not go out and toast in the name of health.
Professor Kevin McConway, a statistics expert at the Open University, was not part of the study, but said: “This research does not go so far as to say that greater exposure to UV radiation makes people live longer.
“People living in different parts of the country differ in many other ways besides the amount of UV radiation they receive from the sun.”
Risks of the sun
Although Brits are tempted to expose themselves to the sun at any time possible, when exposed to high UV rays, the sun can cause irreversible and even fatal damage.
Skin damage
The most frequently mentioned risk of sun exposure is damage to the skin caused by ultraviolet radiation (UV rays).
Care should be taken, especially those with fair, white or light brown skin, when exposed to direct sunlight for long periods of time.
Skin damage can cause sunburn, including blistering and peeling, and skin cancer.
There are three main types of cancer: basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma (both non-melanoma skin cancers) and melanoma.
Melanoma is much less common, but it is the most deadly.
Heat Exhaustion
Heat exhaustion is a heat-related illness that occurs when you are exposed to high temperatures and your body cannot regulate it.
If left untreated, it can develop into heatstroke or heatstroke.
Symptoms of heat exhaustion are:
- Tiredness
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Nasuea
- Thirst
- Irritability (in children)
Eye damage
Without eye protection, strong sunlight can cause sunburn-like burns to the eyes.
Looking directly at the sun can damage the retina, known as solar retinopathy, which can cause temporary blindness or permanent damage.
Looking at the sun immediately puts your vision at risk, so it’s important to wear sunglasses, even when watching an eclipse.
This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
