Does spending time outdoors reduce risk of developing dementia?

Spending time in sunlight is associated with many health benefits, in particular recent research has revealed a positive relationship between sunlight exposure and reduced risk of developing dementia.

This may be because UV exposure is essential for the absorption of vitamin D, which is involved in supporting brain health and reducing cognitive decline. A prospective cohort study of 362,094 participants did find that higher sunlight exposure is associated with a reduced risk of developing dementia. In particular, lowest risk was associated with spending 2 hours a day in sunlight in Summer, 1 hour a day in Winter and 1.5 hours a day on average.

However, too much sunlight exposure can have negative effects such as an increased risk of developing skin cancer and eye disease. Therefore, this study is important in helping to provide guidance on optimal sunlight exposure in order to achieve a protective effect against dementia.