Throughout the ages, people have been very concerned about their weight, and have tried a plethora of different methods, pills and supplements to get a lean body. However, as a brand-new study suggests, the secret was in front of us all along. Everybody loves some good sunshine in the morning, but how many of us know that morning sun rays can actually boost our weight-loss efforts? All you have to do is wake up early and simply face the sun for around 20 – 30 minutes each morning, and the light will work its magic on you!
7 High Calorie Drinks You Should Avoid The study was conducted by several specialists and researchers at Northwestern University, who recently concluded that mid-term exposure to early morning light can truly help us be leaner. No matter if the light is pure, natural sunlight or bright indoor light, it seems to have the same effect on the human body. It is believed that the ‘weight-loss properties’ of morning light are connected to our sleeping habits, and synchronizing our sleep with the natural light-and-dark cycle of the sun can help us be leaner, healthier and happier. Medically speaking, this light exposure is associated with a lower BMI, or body-mass index, which is used to determine whether a person has a normal weight or is overweight or obese. The Northwestern study involved participants who wore wrist monitors that were specially designed to measure the effects of light exposure on the bodies and BMI of the participants. Several variables were also taken into consideration in order to make the study as accurate as possible, such as the age of the participants, the season and the daily caloric intake of each participant, as well as their daily activity levels.
As the results of the study have shown, the participants who were exposed to 500 lux of light or above were able to experience the most significant change in the light-to-BMI ratio. While the outdoor, natural sunlight is rated at 1,000 lux and above, typical indoor light only has a power of approximately 500 lux. It is also believed that this exposure to light has something to do with the metabolism – by exposing your body to early morning light on a constant basis, your metabolism will regulate itself more effectively and burn more fat than it normally would. Not only the amount of time you expose yourself to the light is important, but so is the intensity of the light, as well as the timing. Statistically speaking, getting daily exposure to moderately bright light in the morning results in a far lower BMI, as opposed to those who get their light exposure later in the day. The earlier the light exposure takes place, the lower the BMI of the individuals, and these findings are certainly encouraging for those who want to reach a more healthy body weight. Simply put, the BMI is calculated based on the ratio of height and weight of the person in question. The bottom line is that regardless of the connection between morning light and BMI, an aspect of utmost importance for all those who are trying to shed pounds is fixing their sleep patterns so they will coincide with the natural daily light cycles, known as the circadian rhythms. This has to do with what is commonly known as the ‘internal body clock,’ and some researchers such as Phyllis C. Zee, who took part in the study, say that people should get bright morning light as often as possible, and that half an hour of morning light should be enough for us to notice encouraging results soon.
Light is essential for all plants and animals, therefore it is not surprising that it is a vital aspect for the correct functioning of our bodies. Zee, who is a Professor of Neurology and also the Director of the Northwestern Circadian Rhythms Research Program and Medicine Sleep, also claims that not getting enough daily light will eventually result in a de-synchronization of our internal body clock, which will, in turn, take its toll on our metabolism and have the opposite effect on BMI. While a properly functioning internal body clock can help us shed weight, one that is not correctly synched with the circadian rhythms can actually lead to weight gain. The first and most important step toward losing weight with the help of morning light is to understand the mechanism of action: how our bodies work, what they need to function correctly and what happens if they get de-synchronized. Despite the fact that we usually expose ourselves to light of around 200 to 300 lux on a daily basis at work or school (this is still considered to be a poorly lit environment), we need at least 500 lux in order to achieve a lower BMI. This is referred to as the ‘magic number of low BMI.’ However, as mentioned above, natural light measures between 1,000 lux and up to hundreds of thousands of lux, even on a cloudy day. In other words, exposing ourselves to natural light can turn out to be far more effective than doing the same with indoor light – especially if the goal is achieving a lower BMI. To conclude, ‘circadian health’ is extremely important for those who want to lose weight and to live a healthier life, and getting appropriate sun and light exposure should be part of the daily routine of all those who want to have an improved lifestyle. Nonetheless, it must be said that a causal connection between BMI and morning light exposure is still to be established, given the fact that scientists have not managed to directly link these two despite the study results. For now scientists can only assume there is a strong connection between these two elements, but further tests, trials and experiments are required in order to determine beyond any doubt that regular exposure to light in the morning can actually help us trim pounds.
Throughout the ages, people have been very concerned about their weight, and have tried a plethora of different methods, pills and supplements to get a lean body. However, as a brand-new study suggests, the secret was in front of us all along. Everybody loves some good sunshine in the morning, but how many of us know that morning sun rays can actually boost our weight-loss efforts? All you have to do is wake up early and simply face the sun for around 20 – 30 minutes each morning, and the light will work its magic on you! 7 High Calorie Drinks You Should Avoid The study was conducted by several specialists and researchers at Northwestern University, who recently concluded that mid-term exposure to early morning light can truly help us be leaner. No matter if the light is pure, natural sunlight or bright indoor light, it seems to have the same effect on the human body. It is believed that the ‘weight-loss properties’ of morning light are connected to our sleeping habits, and synchronizing our sleep with the natural light-and-dark cycle of the sun can help us be leaner, healthier and happier. Medically speaking, this light exposure is associated with a lower BMI, or body-mass index, which is used to determine whether a person has a normal weight or is overweight or obese. The Northwestern study involved participants who wore wrist monitors that were specially designed to measure the effects of light exposure on the bodies and BMI of the participants. Several variables were also taken into consideration in order to make the study as accurate as possible, such as the age of the participants, the season and the daily caloric intake of each participant, as well as their daily activity levels. 
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