It seems that Mr. Sun can, indeed, be your friend. According to a recent study featured on ScienceDaily.com, exposure to sunlight may help lower your blood pressure, and consequently keep your heart healthy.

Researchers from University of Edinburgh checked the blood pressure readings of 24 volunteers who were asked to sit beneath tanning lamps for 20 minutes on two separate occasions. In the first session, the participants were exposed to both UV rays and heat; in the second session, they were only exposed to heat.

The results showed a drop in the participants' blood pressure an hour after being exposed to both stimulants, but exposure to heat alone did not give the same results. Apparently, only the rays could activate the release of the blood pressure lowering compound nitric oxide into the blood vessels.

Senior Lecturer in Dermatology Dr. Richard Weller notes, "We now plan to look at the relative risks of heart disease and skin cancer in people who have received different amounts of sun exposure. If this confirms that sunlight reduces the death rate from all causes, we will need to reconsider our advice on sun exposure."

(Photo by Alex Vieira via Flickr Creative Commons)