By Makayla Hamlin
If you’ve opted for the outdoor option at restaurants, you may have an upper hand over all of us who choose to eat inside. July is National Picnic Month, so let’s talk about one great advantage of eating outside: the Sun.
When your skin is exposed to the sun’s ultraviolet B rays, it hits cholesterol in skin cells, which provides energy for vitamin D synthesis to occur. The phenomenon could be compared to photosynthesis, where the sunlight provides energy to transform CO2 and minerals into glucose and oxygen.
Our bodies all need vitamin D to survive and be healthy. It helps the body to absorb calcium from the intestines. This calcium mineralizes the skeleton, which basically means that it helps to keep it strong.
Without the proper amount of vitamin D in your body, aka Vitamin D deficiency, over time you could experience bone loss and even Osteomalacia (soft bones). You can also experience symptoms of depression like lack of interest, mood swings, feelings of hopelessness, and fatigue.
The best part is that midday is the best time to get sunlight. Noon is when the sun is at its highest point, which means that these UVB rays are extremely intense. You need less time for vitamin D synthesis to occur, and therefore get the effects faster.
Be mindful about using sunscreen and other sun protection to protect your skin. Too much sun can be a bad thing, leading to dehydration, sunburn, sunspots, eye damage, even skin cancer.
Sounds like a picnic lunch full of good food, fresh air, great views, and lots of vitamin D might be the best for your body and your mind. Enjoy eating outside in July!
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