Exposure to the sun can cause the body to sweat, maybe even as much as during exercise. Therefore, some people think that sunbathing can lose weight. Is that true? Check out the answer below.
Can sunbathing lose weight?
A new study in the Journal of Scientific Reports (2017) reveals that sunbathing can lead to weight loss.
Morning sunlight can burn subcutaneous fat cells in adipose tissue (scWAT) or white fat cells that are under the skin.
scWAT cells are the main fat storage sites in the body that play an important role in helping regulate the body's metabolism and provide energy for activities.
Researchers found that scWAT cells tend to shrink due to exposure to sunlight called blue light. So, scWAT cells will store less fat.
These cells are actually an energy reserve that comes from calories that are not burned due to the body's lack of physical activity.
However, further research is still needed to prove the benefits of sunbathing on weight loss.
The reason is, this research has not found the intensity of blue light and the duration of sunbathing needed for scWAT cells to shrink and make weight loss in significant amounts.
Based on these findings, sunbathing is not necessarily an effective way to lose weight.
Sunlight helps improve the body's biological clock
Research published in the journal Plos One (2014) found that people who are frequently exposed to sunlight in the morning have a lower body mass index (BMI) when compared to people who are exposed to less or no sun.
How did it happen? Basking in the sun in the morning helps regulate the body's biological clock.
So, the body will send a signal to the brain that the morning is the time to wake up and the night is the time to sleep.
Regular sleep patterns will help the body's metabolism run more efficiently. Therefore, sunbathing can lose weight even though it doesn't work directly.
In addition, the sunlight in the morning is stronger when compared to the sun in the afternoon.
This is because the morning sun has a stronger blue light, which can affect your body's biological clock or your circadian rhythm.
Adequate sun exposure can also help the body produce more of the happy mood hormone, namely the hormone serotonin.
This hormone will increase your enthusiasm and motivation to live a healthy life, such as maintaining an ideal body weight.
How long should you sunbathe to lose weight?
Based on previous research, researchers have not been able to conclude the amount of time needed for sunbathing to lose weight.
Keep in mind, too much sun exposure will actually be harmful to the body. The reason, ultraviolet light can increase the risk of skin cancer.
The Association of Dermatologists and Venereologists (Perdoski) recommends sunbathing in the morning for 5–15 minutes at 09.00. You can regularly sunbathe 2-3 times a week.
If you are sensitive to sunlight, avoid this sunbathing activity. Stop sunbathing when the skin already looks reddish so as not to increase the risk of sunburn.
Why not sunbathe while exercising?
Sunbathing is not the right way to trim the numbers on the scale. You still have to adjust your diet and at least moderate exercise for 30 minutes every day.
Both launch the process of burning calories from the food you consume. This will certainly reduce the risk of fat accumulation and help the arrow of the scales move to the left, aka weight loss.
In order to lose weight more effectively, you should sunbathe in the morning while exercising or doing other activities.
Here are some physical activities that are suitable to do in the morning.
- Run
- gardening
- Water plants
- Washing the vehicle
- Sweep the yard
- Take your pet for a walk
- On foot
- Bicycle.
Indeed, there is some evidence that sunbathing can lead to weight loss, but further evidence is needed.
Therefore, keep a balance of the recommended calorie intake when dieting and physical activity so that your weight loss program shows maximum results.
Source: https://hellosehat.com/nutrisi/berat-badan-turun/sinar-matahari-pagi-turun-berat-badan/
