Sun exposure helps lower blood pressure

British scientists have discovered that just 20 minutes of sun exposure a day can help people lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.

According to new research, ultraviolet (UV) rays from sunlight not only help the body produce vitamin D but also help lower blood pressure. Photo: Telegraph

Researchers from the University of Edinburgh measured the blood pressure of volunteers and then asked them to spend 20 minutes under an ultraviolet (UV) tanning lamp to control the amount of light exposure.

Experimental results showed that after exposure to ultraviolet light, the blood pressure of volunteers decreased and remained lower than before exposure for one hour.

When subjects were exposed to heat but avoided UV light from the phototherapy lamp, their blood pressure also dropped during exposure but then quickly returned to baseline levels.

The findings should prompt us to reconsider current popular advice about sun exposure, the authors say.

High blood pressure is one of the major risk factors for heart disease and stroke. Scientists believe that sunlight or UV rays cause nitrogen stored in the body to be released into the blood, dilating blood cells and lowering blood pressure.

However, too much exposure to sunlight is also a major cause of skin cancer. Therefore, experts warn people not to be exposed to the sun for long periods of time without protection.

Dr Richard Weller, senior lecturer in dermatology at the University of Edinburgh and lead researcher, stressed that further research was needed before advice could be given to patients about using sunlight to treat high blood pressure.

"We now plan to look at the relative risks of heart disease and skin cancer in people exposed to different amounts of sunlight," said Mr Weller. "If the new study confirms that sunlight reduces mortality from all causes, we will have to reconsider our advice on sun exposure. We suspect that the benefits of sunlight for heart health will outweigh the risk of skin cancer."

According to Vietnamnet - LY