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The Amazing World of Sweating: What It Does and What's True

This article explores all the cool things sweating does for your body, like keeping you cool and helping your skin. We'll also talk about why some people sweat a lot and bust some myths about sweating that just aren't true. It's a great read for anyone who wants to learn more about how their body works!

Written by: Stefan Menzi

Ever Wonder Why We Sweat?

Who would've thought our bodies have such an efficient built-in air conditioner? Sweating is way more than just annoying. It's a vital process that helps us on several levels. First off, sweat cools us down effectively in the heat by evaporating and taking away warmth. Secondly, it helps us detox by carrying pollutants out of our bodies. And last but not least, sweat creates an acidic protective layer on our skin that keeps bacteria away. Our bodies are truly amazing!

But why do some people sweat more than others? And what can we do if sweating gets in the way of our daily lives?

Sweating as a Natural Cooling Mechanism

Sweating is a natural and essential process for our bodies. Sweat is released by sweat glands, which are located practically everywhere on our bodies. Sweat itself is initially colorless and odorless since it's mainly made of water. The unpleasant sweat smell only happens after it comes out when the fatty acids turn into butyric or formic acid. This happens with the help of bacteria that live on our skin. The most important job of sweating is to regulate our temperature. Evaporation of sweat cools the body down. This can be necessary during intense heat or physical exertion. Transpiration is a natural thing. But some people suffer from excessive sweating and sweat much more than others. This is called hyperhidrosis.

Sweating Serves Several Functions:

Mainly, sweating helps with thermoregulation. When water goes from liquid to gas, it uses energy. When sweat evaporates, it takes heat away from the body. The body uses this to lower its temperature, for example, during high outside temperatures or physical activity. The eccrine sweat glands are responsible for this.

Sweating is also good for the skin. Sweat contains substances that maintain the skin's acid mantle, as well as substances that lower the risk of skin infections.

Some studies suggest that sweating might play a role in getting rid of certain metabolic products.

How Does Excessive Sweating Happen?

Sweating is a normal and necessary process. The human body has more than three million sweat glands. These are mostly under the armpits, on the palms of the hands, and on the soles of the feet. Every day, our bodies evaporate at least half a liter of sweat. During strenuous activity or heat, the body can lose several liters of fluid a day.

Sweating can be limited to certain areas like armpits, palms, and feet, or it can affect the whole body.

Sweat production is controlled by a part of our autonomic nervous system. In some people, this system works at a higher level than necessary to keep body temperature constant. Many people with excessive sweating are embarrassed and often don't seek help. Those affected can get stuck in a vicious cycle that leads to a long period of suffering.

The Eccrine and Apocrine Sweat Glands

Sweating means the release of a watery substance by sweat glands. There are two types: eccrine and apocrine.

Eccrine sweat glands are located all over the body in the skin. They produce clear sweat that's about 99 percent water, with some salts and electrolytes, and it's odorless.

Apocrine sweat glands are only in hairy areas of the genital region, armpits, and around the nipples. They produce less sweat, which is more milky and contains fats, proteins, and lipids.

Sweating is controlled by the sympathetic nervous system.

Sweating Cools, Nourishes, and Protects the Skin

Sweating Serves Three Functions:

Skin Care: Regularly moisturizing the skin prevents it from becoming brittle and cracked.
Temperature Regulation: Sweat regulates body temperature. As moisture evaporates from the skin, it creates a cooling effect. On hot days and during strenuous physical activity, the body reacts by producing more sweat.
Skin Protection: The secretion from eccrine sweat glands has an acidic pH and forms a protective layer, as bacteria don't survive well in acidic environments. Sweat also releases dermcidin, which kills bacteria and acts like a natural antibiotic.

Myths About Sweating:

NOT a Detox: The idea that sweating detoxifies is debatable. People sweat to cool down, not to get rid of metabolic waste or harmful substances. That's the job of the liver and kidneys.
Sweat Doesn't Stink! Many people think sweat naturally smells bad. Wrong! The unpleasant odor happens when bacteria have a party on our skin and turn the fats in sweat into smelly compounds. So, hop in the shower, put on clean clothes, and the problem is usually solved!
Fit People Sweat Less: On the contrary, the fitter someone is, the more efficiently their body's air conditioning works. Intense training boosts sweat production to cool the body during exertion. This also means their body cools down faster and more effectively and sweats less at rest. The on-off switch works better.
Sweating Helps You Lose Weight – not like many think. While you might lose some weight temporarily through sweating, it's mainly water. To really lose fat, you need to move more and watch your diet.
Cold Drinks in the Heat? As tempting as it is, cold water doesn't cool us down as effectively as you'd think. Our bodies actually have to use energy to warm up cold liquids. Lukewarm or room-temperature drinks are better.
Drink Less to Sweat Less? That doesn't work! In the summer, we sweat a lot to cool our bodies. That's why it's even more important to drink enough fluids.