eli5: If more melanin is advantageous in warm climates, why is less of it advantageous in colder climates? Wouldn’t darker skin still be most advantageous in cold climates where it might occasionally be hot?

Question

eli5: If more melanin is advantageous in warm climates, why is less of it advantageous in colder climates? Wouldn’t darker skin still be most advantageous in cold climates where it might occasionally be hot?

In: 1641

Answer 1

As a Scandinavian i can tell you that often even we need to take vitamin D. But culturally we are alot outdoor. Especially during summer. I wouldn’t be supprised if this is partly because of how much we can feel the vitamin D produced by the sunlight.