Sweat is just your body detoxifying itself! Just make sure you stay well hydrated.
Why Sweating Is Good!
Updated Mar. 21st, 2022
It is predicted we will hit record highs this summer, causing most of us to retreat indoors to our air conditioning and ice cold treats. For those of us forced to bare the heat, be prepared for a little sweat... scratch that, it will most likely be pouring off you! Why not learn a little more about this process, why we do it, and YES, I'm going to say it, the numerous health benefits that come with it.
Why do we sweat?
Sweating is a natural and very healthy process. We sweat to help reduce the temperature of the body and help cool the skin, part of an important process called thermoregulation. This is without a doubt the most important function of sweating. Every process in our body occurs at an optimal temperature and sweating is just one of the ways that our body ensures this optimal temperature is maintained, no matter what! Sweating is not just a result of heat, however, as many of you may have noticed, sweating can occur as a result of nervousness, among other emotions, and nausea. Emotionally induced sweating usually effects only the palms, soles and forehead, while sweating via thermoregulation affects the skin covering the entire body.
Detoxification
The skin is the largest organ in the body. The pores of the skin play a major role in the process of detoxification, along with other organs like the kidneys, liver, colon, lung and lymph nodes. Sweat literally carries toxins out of the body, flushing them through the pores. In doing so, it actually transforms lipid soluble molecules into water soluble molecules to ease in elimination. Some estimates claim that 30% of the body's waste is eliminated through sweat. Sweating is vital to our body's natural detoxification processes.
Other Benefits
Some of the other therapeutic health benefits of sweating include improved blood circulation and cardiovascular health. Sweating causes blood vessels to dilate and blood pressure to drop (this is why those with blood pressure issues – low or high - need to start slow and monitor themselves when using a sauna). The heart is then forced to work more efficiently to pump blood. Studies have also shown there to be a moderate immune benefit to sweating. Heat stimulates the production of white blood cells (think about fever), therefore supporting a healthy immune response and helping to more effectively fight off infection. In terms of healthy skin, sweat contains small amounts of antibacterial substances, able to combat some of the natural bacteria on the skin. It can also serve to unclog pores and improve the skin's tone. Sweating can also be good for mood. Much like exercise, sweating activates the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis. It causes an increase in noradrenaline and beta endorphins, which make us feel good. Unlike exercise, however, heat induced sweat, like that of a sauna, does not require muscle tension, nor the movement of large muscle groups. In fact, sweating acts to do the opposite, decreasing muscle tension and inducing relaxing. Similar to a meditative process, the mind and body must still be active due to the heat, but the muscles are completely relaxed. Perhaps this is why so many find the sauna so relaxing and rejuvenating, it can be seen as a form of meditation. There is a form of group therapy known as sweat therapy, in which the psycho physiological response to heat exposure is thought to be therapeutic both mentally and spiritually, as well as physically.
Sauna, in any language
Although there is little research verifying the medicinal or therapeutic benefit of saunas in relation to sweating, it is a practice that is both utilized and cherished worldwide and for centuries. From the Onsen in Japan, to the Banya in Russia and the Islamic Hammam, it is a cross-cultural and often sacred that practice many believe has numerous benefit for mind and body.
You can have too much of a good thing.
Yes, there are conditions in which one can sweat too much, known as hyperhydrosis, or too little, similarly known as hypo- or anhydrosis. It is important to have these processes addressed by a healthcare practitioner if you feel they are effecting your overall health and quality of life. Certainly during hot summer months, it is imperative for all of us to replace the fluid lost through sweat, in order to prevent dehydration.
Dehydration can be deadly and is not something to be taken lightly. Besides water, we also lose small amounts of essential minerals such as sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium, when we sweat. Although ice cold water is probably your best option and usually does the trick for mild dehydration, there are also some great electrolyte supplements on the market in order to compensate for some of these lost minerals, particularly sodium, if you think you've over done it.
Summer means a lot of fun, a lot of sun and a lot of sweat. Use caution and sweat smart.
Enjoy the heat!
Sweating is a way of detoxing. I like to use a Relax Sauna. It is a relaxing experience. Aches and pains disappear. When used regularly, one sleeps deeper. When I feel a bug coming on, sweating it out usually takes care of that. Sweating is a great way to get rid of heavy metals inside you. One needs to be hydrated. Drink lots of good water, sweat it out and you’ll be amazed at how good you feel.
Hello Lorna,
Sweating is a great way to detox! Sweating from working out is great to detox further, get blood flowing and keep healthy overall. Sweating helps not only keep your internal body healthy, but keeps your skin glowing too. Hydration is important when working up a good sweat; coconut water or filtered mineral water are great options with added natural electrolytes.
Keep healthy & well!
I love how this article talks about how sweating is normal and can even be healthy as long as it is not in excess of course. This is such a great message to portray and get out there because I remember being little and being so embarrassed if I had to sweat or was sweating even though it is something that is completely normal! I think changing the topic of conversation around normal bodily functions is something that is so important and makes me happy to see.
Hello, OH,
Sweating is a great way for your body to detox! Whether it's from exercising, using a sauna or steam room or just because it's warm out. If you'd like to learn more about the health benefits of detoxification, check out this article:
https://www.nationalnutrition.ca/articles/health-concerns/detox-101/
Have a healthy day!
I start to sweat early & quickly when I excercise. Because other people don't sweat so easily, I feel like I have to apologize for it. But it does make my muscles feel warmed up, well oiled and responsive. Why do we need to apologize for sweating?
Hello, Emelyn,
Indeed, sweating is natural and normal. It’s how our bodies cool themselves and detoxify. If interested, you can learn more about detoxification for your body here: https://www.nationalnutrition.ca/articles/health-concerns/detox-101/