Sweating is in no way appealing. Be it a sweaty face or sweaty hands, it’s never an attractive picture. Not to mention the often accompanying stench. However, did you know that sweating actually comes with some interesting health benefits?
Why do we sweat?
Sweat comes from sweat glands excreted through the skin’s pores. This is often a result of physical activity or temperature changes. There exist two types of sweat glands called eccrine and apocrine. Apocrine sweat glands can be found in the armpits, the nipple area, ears, eyelids, and groin area. Eccrine glands are located all over the body as well as on the soles of the feet. In terms of body odor, this stench occurs when the sweat from the apocrine is exposed to bacteria.
Sweating health benefits
Having active sweat glands may seem like the worst thing imaginable, but it’s actually one of the best ways your body maintains its health.
Boosts immunity
According to one study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America journal, sweat actually contains a powerful antibiotic called dermcidin. Dermcidin helps to protect against and fight off infections and other dangerous germs.
Detoxing
A good sweat session could be exactly what your body needs to detox.
One study found that a lot of the body’s toxins are actually excreted through sweat thus we can conclude that sweating helps to flush out toxins, pollutants, alcohol, and even cholesterol from our bodies.
Maintains kidney health
While sweat does help to remove toxins from the body, the kidneys are the body’s built-in filter system. They filter toxins and ensure that the blood is continuously supplied with the right nutrients.
Kidney stones are painful, salt deposits that form when excess salt and calcium accumulate in the kidneys over time. Thankfully, sweating not only removes the excess salt but it also redirects the extra calcium to our bones.
Skincare
If you’ve visited a spa before and had your face steamed, you’ll know that the sweating helped to open up your pores.
Opening pores is a great way to remove any dirt and bacteria lingering on the skin. This then helps to clear up blemishes and prevent acne and irritated skin.
Temperature regulation
We all know that sweating is our body’s way of cooling down, but it’s important to realize just how vital this is.
By regulating our body temperature, sweat ensures that our internal organs continue to function properly as it prevents heat stroke and hyperventilation.
Wound healing
It seems that a few salty drops can help speed up the healing of wounds, scrapes, and burns.
One study revealed that sweat glands contain four different varieties of stem cell populations, and these stem cells possess distinct regenerative capabilities that allow them to speed up wound healing.
Breaking a sweat
Now that you’ve read up on the benefits of sweating, here are our favorite ways to get our sweat glands working.
One sure way to get a good sweat session in is to exercise regularly. Aside from sweating, exercise provides several other benefits that include stress relief, increased heart strength, stronger bones, and improved mental health.
Another great way to induce sweating is saunas as they are the perfect way to open up those blocked pores. Aside from great spa treatments, these warm rooms have also been linked to a number of benefits that include a reduced risk of a stroke.
Sweating is not that bad, yet excessive sweating is a cause for concern. Hyperhidrosis is a condition whereby individuals sweat 4-5 times more than what an average person does. The condition can be caused by a thyroid condition, medication, genetics, or even an infection.
In contrast to the natural and beneficial aspects of sweating, conditions like hyperhidrosis can significantly impact daily life. Managing such conditions requires understanding and sometimes professional advice. While lifestyle changes and home remedies can offer some relief, it’s always advisable to seek guidance for effective management strategies. For more insights on managing excessive sweating and its impact on daily life, check this.
It’s important to consult your medical practitioner if you believe that your sweating has become excessive.
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