UV rays ‘may cut blood pressure’

The benefits of sun exposure in reducing blood pressure may outweigh the risks of developing skin cancer, research has found.

Nitric oxide, a pressure- reducing compound, is released in the blood by ultraviolet rays produced by the sun and artificial sun lamps, and can cut the risk of heart attacks and stroke, a study claims.

It was conducted by University of Edinburgh scientists who measured the blood pressure of 24 people sitting beneath UV lamps for two 20-minute sessions.