The benefits of sweating according to science
Even though sweating can sometimes be quite annoying or even extremely unpleasant, it is completely normal. Perspiration contributes to our well-being, and what’s more, it ensures that we stay healthy.
Perspiration is a natural phenomenon – everyone sweats every day, and it happens more or less discreetly. However, you do perspire more in certain situations: during a stressful meeting, an intense workout, when you have a fever, or simply on a summer day.
Perspiration and body odor: why?
Sweat is secreted by glands in the deep layer of the skin, called the dermis. Humans have sweat glands all over the body, but they are more numerous in certain areas: in the armpits, the palms of the hands, and on the forehead.
Sweat consists mainly of water but also contains salts (electrolytes such as sodium, magnesium, etc.) and other chemical components. Its composition is closely related to bacterial composition (hence the typical smell of sweat).1
Nutrition has more impact than perspiration on our body's detoxification2.3
Perspiring, primarily important for regulating your body temperature
The temperature of the human body is around 37°C thanks to various physical processes. The most important function of perspiring is to regulate your body temperature. When the water from the sweat evaporates, the skin's surface cools down.1,2
If someone cannot lower their body temperature, hyperthermia (or heatstroke) can occur. The body temperature then rises dangerously above the healthy value of around 37°C.2
Perspiration, a good indicator of your physical condition
If you perspire during physical exercise, it usually indicates that you are reaching a level of exertion that contributes to better cardiovascular health. To judge whether your workout was effective, it might be better to look at whether or not you are perspiring rather than the duration of your workout.
On the other hand, excessive sweating can also be one of the first signs of an infection such as the flu or a state of stress. So, you’d best be vigilant about perspiration as an ‘indicator’!2,3
Does sweat eliminate toxins: a myth?
Many believe that perspiration can eliminate toxins and heavy metals from the body. However, sweat consists mainly of water. Heavy metals and plastic (BPA) are eliminated, but only in very small amounts. After all, it is the liver and the kidneys that truly detoxify the body...3
Scientific references
Product mentioned in this article
Selenium-ACE+D+ZN
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