New research has looked into the paradox that “women who sunbathe are likely to live longer than those who avoid the sun.” (The research also assumes the premise that sunbathers are at an increased risk of developing skin cancer but there is growing proof that sunscreen is actually to blame for skin cancer.)
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After following 29,518 Swedish women for 20 years, the study found that the women who had active sun exposure habits had a longer life expectancy because they had a decrease in heart disease and noncancer/non-heart disease deaths.
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Researchers want to know whether the positive effect of sun exposure demonstrated in the observational study was mediated by vitamin D, another mechanism related to UV radiation, or by unmeasured bias cannot be determined.1
The lead author of the study published in the Journal of Internal Medicine, Dr. Pelle Lindqvist, said:
“We found smokers in the highest sun exposure group were at a similar risk as non-smokers avoiding sun exposure, indicating avoidance of sun exposure to be a risk factor of the same magnitude as smoking. Guidelines being too restrictive regarding sun exposure may do more harm than good for health.” 2
Additional research is necessary.
