A new weight loss trend is drawing women in Hong Kong to a bizarre practice. Just before sunset, they gather at a beach near Sam Ka Village, take off their shoes and stand at the sand to stare at the sun.
This practice has been dubbed as "sun eating," according to Coconuts, and the women are reportedly foregoing eating actual food for this. The idea behind sun eating allows women to absorb solar energy, which they believe provides as much nourishment as food, according to Oriental Daily.
"We practice sun-gazing as a substitute for eating. Some of us who have finished the therapy now eat less, and others don't have to eat at all," a participant said, according to Daily Mail.
The women begin sun gazing for 10 minutes on their first day until they gradually progress to 44 minutes around the ninth month of participation. One woman told the news outlets that the practice has origins from a European religious group, whose members routinely look at the sun to improve vision and sleep quality.
But a dermatologist from the area has raised his concerns about the effects of sun eating. "'Even if painted with sunscreen they can only withstand five to six percent of the damage, an umbrella or cap can only take 10-20 percent and long exposure, in addition to sunburn, will increase the risk of serious skin cancer," said Hou Xiang Jun, according to Daily Mail.
Ophthalmologists also expressed their concern as gazing at the sun for too long can lead to macular degeneration and other eye problems.
The women said they protect themselves with sunglasses and umbrellas when they gaze at the sun.
