Sun Exposure Benefits May Outweigh Risks in Less Sunny Places, Scottish Research Suggests

This study used data on nearly 395,000 people from the UK BioBank database, focusing on individuals from white European backgrounds aged 37 to 73. It found that living in regions with higher UV levels, such as Cornwall in southern England, was associated with a lower risk of death from cardiovascular disease and cancer compared to areas with lower UV levels, such as the Scottish cities Edinburgh and Glasgow, located in the north of the UK.

Although higher UV exposure slightly increased the risk of melanoma, it did not correspond to a higher risk of death from the condition. Interestingly, sunbed use was also linked to a reduced risk of death from cardiovascular disease and cancer. With the findings adding to growing evidence regarding the benefits of UV in lower-light environments, the researchers have called for further investigation in regions with higher UV exposure in order to clarify the balance between the benefits and risks of sunlight.

To read about research suggesting that overuse of sunscreen has caused a dramatic increase in the number of people with deficient or insufficient levels of vitamin D, a nutrient produced naturally in the body when skin is exposed to sunlight, see this article on our website.