Ask the Naked Scientists Why is sunlight so important for the body?
Nov 22, 2024
Discover the incredible benefits of morning sunlight for health and mood, and learn how it helps produce vitamin D. Uncover the curious connection between bright light and sneezing. The discussion takes an intriguing turn as luck is examined—exploring its randomness and influence from our environments. Delve into the evolution of human skin color, linking it to agricultural practices and UV exposure. Finally, a cosmic journey reveals the formation of matter from the Big Bang, tying together energy and the origins of our universe.
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Morning Sunlight Benefits
- Get about five minutes of direct sunlight early in the morning to aid vitamin D production and reset your body clock.
- This sunlight exposure also helps synchronize your internal body clock by stimulating specific cells in the eye linked to the brain's timekeeping center.
Photic Sneeze Reflex Explained
- Sneezing from morning sunlight is often due to the photic sneeze reflex, affecting about 20% of people.
- This reflex causes bright light to trigger sneezing through neurological spillover between pupil control and sneeze reflex areas.
Sunlight's Role in Health and Mood
- Lack of sunlight in high latitude winters causes vitamin D deficiency and disrupts body clock synchronization.
- Seasonal affective disorder is linked to insufficient light, and bright light therapy can improve mood symptoms.
