The first day of summer hits on June 20 and with it comes long, lazy days spent outside soaking up the sun.
We’ve all heard about the risks of too much sun and skin cancer. The more your skin burns, the greater your risk of skin cancer. Having five or more sunburns doubles your risk for melanoma.
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Did you know that sunbathing can be bad for your heart? Studies show that spending just a day in hot outdoors may increase the risk of inflammation by at least 10%. This can cause a buildup of plaque in the arteries which can lead to heart disease.
And the United States Department of Agriculture estimates that foodborne illnesses are two times more common in the summer. The bacteria that cause food poisoning grow the fastest in hot and humid weather. According to the CDC, 76 million people fall ill each year.
Excessive temperatures can also impact how well medications do their job. For example, insulin. The longer the exposure to excessive temperature, the less effective the insulin becomes. This can result in loss of blood glucose control over time.
If you have any medication, be sure to check package information about how high temperatures can affect insulin and other medicines. You can store them in a cooler with a gel pack if you’re traveling to avoid the heat but don’t let it get too cold.
Staying in the sun isn’t all that bad, though. One of the benefits of sunlight is better sleep. Studies show that an hour of sunlight will help you sleep better. Sunlight regulates your circadian rhythm by telling your body when to increase and decrease your melatonin levels. The more daylight you get, the better your body will produce melatonin when it’s time to sleep.
Next, when your skin is exposed to sunlight, it produces vitamin D. A lack of vitamin D can lead to bone problems and is also linked to autoimmune diseases, cancers, and dementia.