Consider how sunlight, or the lack thereof, affects people, plants, and animals. Plants, animals, and humans all benefit from sunlight and its miraculous qualities.
Here Comes the Sun
There are many benefits to sunlight. In fact, the benefits may even outweigh the dangers of sun exposure. The University of Edinburgh researched exposure to sunlight in the UK. They found that sunlight might help reduce blood pressure. The research, found on the website id.ac.uk, was discussed in Edinburgh University’s publication “Sunshine Could Benefit Health.” The research discovered that sunlight could reduce heart attacks and strokes. This research is based on science and the body. There is a compound that releases in blood vessels when people are exposed to sunlight. This compound lowers blood pressure. Additionally, nitric oxide increases after sun exposure. This lowers the risk of stroke or heart attack.
Moderate sun exposure also ensures that people get enough vitamin D. On the health.harvard.edu website, the publication from Harvard Medical School, “Benefits of Moderate Sun Exposure,” discusses the benefits of moderate sun exposure. This research mentions a link between low vitamin D levels and some diseases, such as multiple sclerosis.
After two weeks of dreary, cloudy days without a lot of sun, people start to feel gloomy. This can be linked to the deficiency of vitamin D. This lack of sun is often related to Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Several studies have found that sunlight changes moods due to the exposure of vitamin D. If people do not spend enough time being exposed to the sun, they may become depressed. SAD often occurs in the winter months when the sun is frequently covered by clouds. The largest cases of SAD are reported in areas that do not have a lot of sunlight during certain times of the year, like the UK, for example. The more sunlight that people receive, the better they feel.
Plants use the sun in a process called photosynthesis. In this process, plants absorb the sunlight and turn it into energy that helps the plant grow. Even more, animals benefit from the sun’s rays. Cold-blooded reptiles use the sun’s warmth to maintain body temperature. People can see this when a little lizard is basking in the sun on a warm day. The sunlight also helps create a relationship between plants and animals. Plants use the sunlight to grow, and animals use the plants as a food source.
. What is ONE common central idea in BOTH passages? Use at least ONE detail from EACH text to support your answer. Write your answer in the space provided. Remember to clearly reference the texts.
The common central idea in both passages is the positive effects of sunlight on health.
In the first passage, it is mentioned that sunlight exposure can reduce blood pressure, lower the risk of heart attacks and strokes, and increase the release of nitric oxide which is beneficial for the body. This is supported by the University of Edinburgh's research on the benefits of sunlight exposure.
In the second passage, it is stated that moderate sun exposure ensures that people get enough vitamin D, which is linked to the prevention of diseases such as multiple sclerosis. It also mentions the correlation between lack of sun exposure, vitamin D deficiency, and Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). This is supported by the publication from Harvard Medical School on the benefits of moderate sun exposure.
Therefore, the common central idea is the positive impact of sunlight on health, including reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases, providing essential vitamin D, and improving overall mood.