Summer special: The health benefits of sunshine!

You may be cursing the heat this summer, but there's more to sunshine than just UV rays and skin cancer.

After hearing all the bad press about sunshine, many people have become careful to protect themselves from the harmful ultraviolet rays of the sun. But researchers are now saying that there are many health benefits to be drawn from exposure to the sun too.

Certainly, sunlight is the source of food and consequently life on earth. The sun keeps the earth warm and without it we would freeze. But too much of it can put you at an increased risk of skin cancer and cataract, not to mention that it can also make your skin wrinkle and age early. Sunburn is caused by too much UVB radiation and this also leads to direct DNA damage.

Despite all of that, the right amount of sunlight can make you happier and healthier. Here are some health benefits of sunlight:

Vitamin D

Sunlight stimulates the body to create Vitamin D. A single sun exposure to the face, neck, arms and legs for 10-15 minutes can produce anywhere from 1,000 international units (IU) to 3,000 IU of Vitamin D, depending on your skin type, which is all that is required by your body in a day.

This vitamin promotes the absorption of calcium in the gut and transfers calcium across the cell membranes, which provides strength to the bones. Vitamin D can offer protection from some cancers (such as lung, prostate, colon and skin cancer), osteoporosis, rickets and diabetes. It also helps to lower blood cholesterol levels, thus helping to fight heart disease.

Sunlight also stimulates the production of Serotonin, a neurotransmitter in the brain that regulates mood. Moderately high serotonin levels result in more positive moods and a calm yet focused mental outlook.

People with seasonal affective disorder (SAD) develop symptoms of depression (like loss of interest in daily activities, low energy or fatigue and moodiness) in the winter months when there is less daylight. Sunshine decreases the symptoms of depression by releasing endorphins. Endorphins are the body's natural anti-depressants and are very beneficial in cases of seasonal depression.

Sunshine enhances blood circulation by dilating blood vessels in the skin. This brings more nutrients and oxygen to cells when capillaries are open, resulting in better health. It also makes the heart healthier by lowering the resting pulse rate and decreasing blood pressure.

Chronic skin conditions such as acne, eczema, and psoriasis have been shown to improve during safe sunbathing. Contact with sunshine may also decrease the manifestation of stretch marks, scars and other skin imperfections.

Synthesis of Vitamin D induced by sunshine can help to significantly reduce your risk of many forms of cancer such as prostrate, breast, colon and ovarian cancer. But remember, overexposure to the sun can increase your risk of skin cancer.

A new study suggests that adequate sun exposure and Vitamin D levels may play an important role in helping to prevent type 1 diabetes in children. Some also believe that exposure to sunlight may lower the blood sugar levels by stimulating its storage in the muscles and liver.

Sunlight bolsters the immune system. When exposed to sunlight, the body produces more white blood cells, which help to ward off infections and other diseases resulting from bacteria, molds, and viruses.

Sunshine exposure enhances waste elimination by improving liver function. Also, as a result of increased blood circulation, waste is eliminated more efficiently through the blood.

Daily exposure to sunlight increases the production of melatonin, which is needed for good sleep. Melatonin is a hormone produced by the pineal gland -- a tiny, pea-sized organ found in the base of the brain.

Sunlight is a good remedy to boost the appetite. It also improves digestion and increases your metabolism.

When you expose yourself to sunshine in moderation, there are lots of health benefits. However, excess exposure to sunlight may be harmful, as it can lead to eye damage, melanomas and skin cancer. So, make sure to protect your skin, whether it is wearing a hat, clothing or using a sunscreen.

Happy sunbathing!