Certain types of sunlight, specifically a narrow band of UV light between 340 and 370 nanometers, can trigger a helpful chemical reaction in your skin that releases nitric oxide — which might one day be used to treat health problems.

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Ultraviolet Radiation-Induced Production of Nitric Oxide:A multi-cell and multi-donor analysis

Cross-Sectional Study

In Vitro

2017 Sep 11

This study shows that sunlight’s UV-A rays can make skin cells release nitric oxide, a molecule that helps blood vessels relax. While it doesn’t pinpoint the exact light color (340–370 nm), it confirms that UV-A light does this job, supporting the idea that a specific part of UV light might be especially good for health.

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Source Study

Ultraviolet Radiation-Induced Production of Nitric Oxide:A multi-cell and multi-donor analysis

Score: 6

DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-11567-5

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When your skin is exposed to sunlight, nitrite in your skin—not nitrate—turns into a helpful molecule called nitric oxide that may improve blood flow. Scientists found this happens best when the light is UV-A and the nitrite is in a specific form.

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Sunlight’s UV-A rays might help your blood vessels relax by turning a substance in your skin called nitrite into nitric oxide, even without your body using its usual method—this could be why you feel that warm, tingling sensation in the sun.

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