High summer has returned to the UK, and with it, the usual warnings about the dangers of sunlight.
After years of such advice, most people assume the science is well established.
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But the opposite is true: those who spend more time in the sun tend to be healthier—a lot healthier.
Rowan Jacobsen, author of In Defense of Sunlight, began researching the subject nine years ago after stumbling upon some studies.
He now summarizes everything we know in his new book, which contains good news: we don't have to fear the sun nearly as much as we thought.
In fact, most of us could benefit from a bit more exposure.
The Science Behind Sunlight's Benefits
Sunlight hitting skin produces vitamin D, but it also produces dozens of different beneficial molecules.
These molecules lower blood pressure, reduce inflammation, increase energy and alertness, improve sleep, and release natural endorphins in the brain.
The result? Less disease and better longevity.
In 2024, scientists published a study using light-sensing wrist monitors on more than 88,000 volunteers in the UK Biobank dataset.
They tracked light exposure day and night, then followed volunteers for years.
Those who received the most daylight were 34% less likely to die from any cause than those with less light exposure.
Even after accounting for exercise, diet, and other factors, the light-getters were still 17% less likely to die.
Balancing Skin Cancer Risks
But what about skin cancer?
