If you gain weight in winter, try spending more time in the sun at this time of year to boost your vitamin D levels
A study from the University of Alberta suggests we gain weight in winter because we lack exposure to sunshine; one answer is to step up outdoor exercise at this time of year – perfect in usually balmy Hong Kong
True or false: Can sunlight stave off winter weight gain?
The short answer: Yes
Do your clothes feel a little tighter now that we’re nearing the end of winter? It is tempting to blame all those Christmas treats and rich holiday spreads you feasted on during the festive season, but a recent study out of the University of Alberta in Canada suggests that extra weight you pile on during the winter could be due to a lack of sunshine.
Can low levels of vitamin D cause depression? Doctors not yet sure, but research shows a connection
The human body loves the sun – in reasonable amounts, of course. Our bare skin synthesises large amounts of vitamin D when it is exposed to the sun’s UVB rays, so it’s no surprise that vitamin D is also called the “sunshine” vitamin.
In addition to helping with calcium absorption and bone growth, this fat-soluble vitamin aids in normal immune system function, fights disease, and helps ward off depression. But there is another important function that can be attributed to vitamin D: weight loss.
The University of Alberta study, published in Scientific Reports (an online, open-access journal from the publishers of Nature) in November 2017, revealed that the fat cells beneath our skin shrink when exposed to the sun’s blue light wavelengths (the light that is visible to the human eye).