Sweating has acquired some bad rap over time. Perhaps, it’s because sweat generates an off-putting smell, particularly when it mixes with unclean substances in the body, such as dust and dirt. But, sweating may also promote several health benefits.
What Is Sweat?
First, what is sweat? Sweat is that watery-like substance coming out of your skin. This phenomenon usually happens during hot weather.
Sweat comes from various sweat glands located all over the body, including under the arms, back, and breasts. There are three types of sweat glands: the sweat ducts, subcutaneous sweat glands, and exocrine sweat glands. Each has its distinct way of storing and releasing sweat.
Some people might avoid sweating as much as possible because they think it's a mark of an unhygienic person. However, note that this physiological process is quite natural. Moreover, it might be safe to say that it's nearly impossible to stop sweat from coming out of your skin. In other words, the body automatically acts and reacts by sweating if it’s hot. This operation may also promote numerous health advantages, and you can find some of these benefits by reading the rest of the article.
Helps Regulate Body Temperature
Perhaps, one of the primary functions of sweating is to help the body regulate temperature levels. If the body doesn't produce the recommended amount of sweat in certain environments, the body might suffer from heatstroke and fever. Properly working sweat glands promote thermoregulation, an operation that allows the body to keep core internal temperatures at normal levels. Note that the average human being may have a standard temperature of between 98 degrees Fahrenheit (37 degrees Celsius) and 100 degrees Fahrenheit (37.8 degrees Celsius).
Now, think of your body as a machine—if it goes higher than 100 degrees Fahrenheit or lower than 98 degrees Fahrenheit, you find it more challenging than usual to do daily tasks at normal efficiency. For example, you might feel sleepy if you stay in cold environments for extended periods. Consequently, you might encounter lethargy or sluggishness if your body's core temperature is higher than 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
Thermoregulation senses these abnormal temperatures in the body, allowing the hypothalamus, a region in the brain responsible for releasing hormones, to send signals to your sweat glands to produce sweat. In turn, the release of this liquid on your skin may help keep the body's temperature at relatively normal levels.
Note that your body may find it more challenging than usual to regulate temperature if you’re wearing stuffy clothing. Consider wearing activewear during relatively hot days to avoid the risks of ‘suffocating’ your body. Aim to wear apparel made from breathable materials to help your system properly regulate its core temperature levels.
Helps Improve Blood Circulation
Some people want to avoid the heat as much as they can. The thought of going through searing conditions might be enough to make your skin crawl. However, it's possible to increase your core temperatures without putting significant risk on your wellbeing. One excellent method to achieve that goal is by going to a sauna.
Saunas, or sweat baths, may help you relax. Sitting inside a quiet booth or room while your sweat drips from your skin is like letting your body leave its woes behind. Regularly visiting saunas may also improve blood circulation in the body. The extra heat engulfs your body in higher temperatures, but these temperature levels shouldn't pose a significant risk to your health. Instead, the sauna should regulate the additional heat, causing the body's blood vessels to expand and be more flexible.
In this case, sweating is the byproduct of the body's natural response to expanding its blood vessels. However, it may also promote other benefits, as the higher temperatures and blood vessel expansion may help relieve sore muscles from delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS).
According to an uncontrolled review, other bonuses to visiting saunas to ‘sweat it out’ may include:
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Increased heart rate
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Improved growth hormone levels
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Improved cortisol levels
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Reduced low-density lipoprotein (LDL) or the ‘bad’ cholesterol
Regular sauna visits may also help normalize diastolic blood pressure, which refers to the blood pressure when the heart is between beats. But, ensure that you consult your doctor first before going to the sauna to confirm if you can handle the increased temperatures.
Helps Eliminate Salt In The Body
Have you ever wondered why sweat tastes salty? It’s because the composition of sweat tends to be mostly comprised of water. However, it also has other components, such as proteins, urea, a waste product from the liver, ammonia, and sodium.
Hence, you’ll know if you have excess amounts of sodium in your body if your sweat tastes saltier than average. Failure to release this additional sodium content might result in certain health complications, such as the development of kidney stones. Moreover, excess salt content in the body may also lead to an increase in blood pressure.
Still, keep in mind that excess sweating might also promote adverse effects in the body. Your system might also release other essential substances, such as certain proteins, that may otherwise help develop muscles.
Helps Improve Water Intake
However, you might forget to drink adequate amounts of water per day. Note that dehydration may lead to certain health issues, such as headaches, migraines, dizziness, and dry skin. Thus, don’t forget to drink sufficient amounts of water daily to ensure you won’t become dehydrated, particularly if you’re a relatively sweaty person.
Final Words
Several cases indicate that sweating is a normal physiological response. In other words, the body automatically sweats if you feel hot. In turn, the body may gain certain benefits, such as regulating blood pressure, improving blood circulation, and eliminating excess salt content. But, ensure that you consult your doctor if you think that you're sweating more than the average human being.