Dr Mohammad Muneeb Khan has been back in the media spotlight after suggesting that grabbing just 30 seconds of sunlight every morning could slash the chances of developing most types of cancer by as much as 80 per cent. 

Last week, Dr Khan – a Consultant Clinical Oncologist at Queen’s Centre for Oncology and Haematology at Castle Hill Hospital – made  national and region headlines after revealing early research into the potential health benefits of sunlight.

This suggests that less than half a minute’s exposure to the sun’s near-infrared (NIR) light between sunrise and 9am may offer a higher level of protection to adults and children than eating 2,500 bananas or a kilogram of Brazil nuts per day.

Stepping outside during these times could cut the odds of developing the disease from a one-in-two chance to one-in-10, making it a more effective inhibitor than any other single preventative measures.

NIR light, which is invisible to the human eye, is at its most effective at dawn and absorbing it in the early morning prompts the body into releasing a flood of melatonin, a natural antioxidant twice as powerful as Vitamin E, that neutralises toxins and prevents cancer-causing gene mutations, it is claimed.

According to Dr Khan, it could be the “ultimate detox” and recent studies into NIR light are so “highly compelling” that he is now urging people to make an early morning stroll – or to simply stand outside – part of their everyday routine.