Blue Light
There’s a new study conducted by the University of Alberta wherein researchers placed fat cells under lamps giving off blue light (the shortest visible light coming from the sun) for four hours, while other samples were kept in the dark. In a span of two weeks, the two groups had surprising differences. In their 11th day of the experiment, the group of fat cells that were exposed to blue light had fewer lipid droplets (these are the organelles that store fat), compared to the cells that were kept in the dark. In conclusion to this, it means that less light means more fat storage, which is why people gain weight during months that have less sunlight.
While this is a theory that’s not proven to help with actual weight loss, it just goes to show how much we need sunlight in order for our cells to do their work properly. However, basking in the sun doesn’t necessarily mean skipping sunscreen and staying under the sun for really long hours just to lose weight. We all know how ultra-violet radiation and skin cancers can be caused by too much exposure to sunlight. Also, the sun cannot directly cause you to lose weight. Instead, it affects your body in such a way that your body will be in a better state for you to be successful in your weight loss goals.
Heat-Production
Another reason that sunlight can play a role in weight loss is the theory of heat-production. When your body temperature drops, you’ll feel hungrier. When your body temperature rises, you’ll feel less hungry. Bottomline, cold temperatures can result in greater calorie consumption especially with less sunlight and it can affect your weight.
Physical Activities
Not only that, but we all know how we’re feeling sluggish or lazier during colder months. Whether it’s raining outside, snowing or too chilly to even go out, we manage to do fewer activities which causes our body to burn fewer calories. The solution to this: Push yourself to keep doing physical activities. Regardless if it’s outdoor or not. If possible, do yoga or exercise indoors. Even without the sun, your body will still burn calories.
With all these theories in mind, we can adjust our lifestyle according to the needs of our body. When the sun is out, have your healthy dose of sun. When the sun is nowhere to be seen, be active and be mindful of your physical activities.
The sun also makes you feel warm so you sweat more than the usual when you’re under the sun. So I guess we do burn more calories that way.
Sunlight is healthy guys. Whether it’s for weight loss or not, always make sure you get out and have a little sun.
I love the sun and for some reason, my skin seems to clear up whenever I’d be doing more outdoor stuff than staying indoors.
Interesting thought. Maybe the sun really affects our weight gain! We do feel a lot more active when it’s all sunny outside and less active when it’s gloomy outside.
I never thought that the sun is doing this to my body. Fascinating study though. ?
Yeah, never skip sunscreen despite the studies stated here. Your body still gets all the vitamins and minerals despite you putting sunscreen. It’s your skin’s protection.
I’m always doing field work and constantly under the sun. I’m a healthy eater but I’m not necessarily slim or did I ever notice that I was losing weight. It’s probably just a factor so never rely on the sun for losing weight.
Yep. true. It just contributes to the weightloss but doesn’t create a drastic difference.
We don’t move a lot when it’s cold because we feel like we’re preserving the warmth of our body by doing less movements. Personally, I don’t even walk around the house too much when the weather is cold. I’d be hiding under my sheets cuddled up between my pillows while I just browse through social media or watch movies on my laptop. I’m aware how I don’t really burn a lot of calories since there’s very few physical activities done.
Losing weight always takes a lot more effort. It’s not just about the sun. Just think of it like an additional perk that the sun can give you when you do a couple of stuff outdoors.? Good thing I’m an outdoor person.
Exactly. But it’s good to know that the sun can also help.
Incorporate sunlight to your daily weight loss activities and it might just do you good. Since the article states that it helps your body function better.