Balancing the Rays: The Sun’s Impact on Health - Benefits, Risks, and Importance

By: Vivian Hsu

The Sun is the star at the center of our solar system, producing the necessary energy to make life possible on Earth. Beyond its role in nature, the Sun also has a significant impact in human health, from influencing our mood to our immune system. Sunlight allows our bodies to develop good bone health, immune function, and reducing the risk of chronic diseases. However, excessive exposure to the Sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays can lead to skin damages.

One of the most important benefits of the Sun is Vitamin D production. Vitamin D helps regulate the body’s amount of calcium and phosphate while also boosting our immune systems. Without it, our bodies would be susceptible to bone pain, bone fractures, muscle pain, and muscle weakness. Another benefit of sunlight exposure is the ability for it to lower your blood pressure by triggering your skin to release nitrogen oxides. The Sun can also help you boost your mood and to improve your nighttime sleep. Not only can it make you more active, it can also help you sleep better by maintaining your body’s circadian rhythm. With a better sleep and a better mood, it can help improve your mental health by stimulating the production of serotonin, also known as the “happy hormone.”

Although the Sun is beneficial in many ways, it could also cause permanent damages to the body. Just as sunlight can help us produce Vitamin D, an excessive amount of UV radiation can cause sunburns, skin damage, and skin cancer. Around 90 percent of nonmelanoma skin cancer are associated with too much UV radiation from the sun. Moreover, too much sunlight radiation can cause premature aging and other skin damages that are often seen in middle-aged groups. As much as sunlight can damage the skin, it can also damage your vision. It is estimated that up to 20 percent of cataracts worldwide may be due to overexposure to UV radiation.

Balancing the benefits of sunlight exposure with protective measures is essential for optimizing health while minimizing potential harm. To help combat skin damages caused by overexposure of UV radiation, sunscreens and protective clothings can help prevent sunburns, skin cancers, and premature aging. In conclusion, the sun plays a vital role in promoting health by providing essential Vitamin D, supporting mood regulation, and promoting overall well-being, making it an indispensable part of our daily lives.