Doctors have long professed the importance of getting out of the house and soaking up the sun’s rays—safely, of course, and in moderation. Studies have shown significant effects on patients’ mood and overall health from sun exposure, with a correlation between depression, anxiety, and general malaise and a lack of adequate sun exposure.

While the benefits of UV rays are well known, increasing bodies of research are finding that sunshine doesn’t merely benefit mood and well-being, but can have a physiological effect on the body through improving metabolism and decreasing the likelihood of obesity.

How Sunshine Affects Weight

A study found that a lack of sunlight resulted in increased weight gain in mice while a consistent application of UV rays helped with weight loss, followed by the suppression of additional gains despite no changes in diet. The effects were less profound in mice undergoing vitamin D supplementation but were still present, suggesting that the vitamin D provided by sunlight is not the only factor in limiting the risk of obesity.

Although the experiment was completed with mice rather than human subjects, the mechanisms suggested that metabolism and sun exposure were related. Implementing a routine of regular sun exposure could work alongside other factors to maintain a healthy weight.

The Significance of Sunlight In Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes risk is drastically increased in individuals who are overweight or obese. Limiting weight gain and maintaining a healthy weight will not only act as a preventative measure against developing diabetes but can also be crucial in effectively managing existing diabetes and preventing complications.

This is not the only way sunlight affects diabetes patients. The same study demonstrated that mice who were regularly exposed to sunlight did not experience insulin resistance or abnormal blood glucose levels, suggesting that sunlight is pivotal not only in managing weight but also in maintaining a healthy, balanced blood sugar level.

Moving Forward

Although more studies are needed to determine exactly how sunlight affects humans in terms of metabolism and blood glucose levels, these preliminary findings suggest that getting out and into the sun is a beneficial practice and is a simple care routine you can implement into your overall treatment plan. Using safe practices such as limiting your exposure and avoiding the sun in the brightest part of the day, UV exposure may be one more piece of the puzzle to curing and preventing the onset of diabetes.