This magic number of 20 minutes has been recommended by experts based on the amount of sunlight required for the effective production of vitamin D. “Twenty minutes is the average amount of time that people can stay out in the sun without causing damage to the skin and increasing the risk of skin cancer. If people need to be out for longer than this, it is recommended that they use sunscreen to protect their skin.
According to experts, vitamin D exposure promotes good sleep, good skin, muscles, and bones, good immunity, gut health, and good mood.
The amount of daily sunshine required varies among individuals and depends on factors like skin type, geographical location, and overall health.
We need to remember that this 20-minute average exposure to sunlight applies to tropical climates where there are about 12 hours of sunlight daily. “People with darker skin need about 30 minutes of sunlight a day. This is because people with darker skin have more melanin which makes the skin a bit more resistant to absorbing sunlight.
Sunlight is also needed so that the body can follow its circadian rhythm (sleep and awake cycle). “There is a direct relationship between sleep and gut health. The better the quality of sleep, the chances are that the gut health is also better. Gut health in turn has a direct impact on our immunity and also our moods.