During a workout, the average person sweats between 0.5 and two liters of fluid. While sweating can sometimes feel uncomfortable, it's an important function for our bodies. In fact, sweating often actually offers a variety of health benefits.

Maybe it’s time we start viewing sweat as a badge of honour. Read on to learn more about sweat, what it can offer, and how to incorporate a daily sweat sesh into your routine.

Even when we’re dripping in it, it’s rare that we stop and think about what our sweat is actually made of. Naturally, sweat is mostly water, but it also contains electrolytes including sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium (which is why you might’ve heard that it’s a good idea to replenish post-workout with an electrolyte drink).

Sweat also contains pheromones (which, though not as big of a deal for humans as other animals, may play a small subconscious role in determining who we’re attracted to) and bacteria (which cause the sweaty smell when left for a period of time).

Sweat also contains a small amount of toxins. While a nutritious diet and healthy liver and kidney function handle the bulk of the body’s detoxification, sweat does play a significant role in the excretion of certain toxins (such as heavy metals and BPA plastics) from the body.

Sweating offers a whole host of health benefits, some of which you might not even consider as you’re getting your daily workout in.

Sweating for detox is a huge motivator for many when it comes to hitting the gym. By breaking a sweat, you’re actually allowing your body to release harmful heavy metals like lead, nickel, and mercury, which may have entered your body via food, water, or cosmetics (and which may cause dangerous adverse effects ranging from immune and nervous system dysfunction to cancer).

Sweating also allows the body to release BPAs which are present in a variety of plastics and resins. Exposure to BPAs (whether it’s via a plastic water bottle, plastic utensils, or a car part) can also cause harmful effects to the brain and increase blood pressure.

Sweat may even help to drive out PCBs—manmade chemicals present in paint, electrical equipment, dyes, and more. When left to fester in the body, PCBs are also known to cause cancer, reproductive issues, neurological issues, and more.

Studies show that the glycoproteins in sweat are capable of binding to “bad” bacteria and ushering them out of the body. While more research is still being done on the effects of this phenomenon, it shows promise in terms of preventing bacterial infections in the body.

Sweat’s primary function is to regulate the body’s temperature and allow it to release excess heat (this is why you sweat when you have a fever). When sweat glands open and release drops of sweat, they then evaporate on the skin, lowering body temperature when you might otherwise overheat (whether as a result of intense exercise, illness, or hot weather).

It’s no secret that sweat can leave you with a dewy glow. But that glow is actually built to last from the inside out. The physical exertion that leads to sweat production gets the blood circulating more effectively throughout the body, allowing oxygen to circulate with it and nourish skin cells.

According to the National Kidney Foundation, sweating often is a key factor in preventing kidney stones. This is because sweat acts as an alternative to urine in terms of releasing fluids from the body—meaning that when you sweat less, you pee less.

When you’re losing fluid through sweating rather than peeing, minerals have time to settle and bond in your kidneys and urinary tract between bathroom trips, preventing them from forming stones.

If you’re looking to enhance your body’s natural sweat production in order to reap maximum benefits, the easiest way to do so is through regular exercise. A workout can also grant you additional benefits like:

• Improved mental health

• Better sleep

• Boosted immune system and heart health

• Weight management

• More stable energy levels

An alternative healthy way to sweat is through sauna therapy. Short sauna sessions of 15-20 minutes can support heart health, as they tend to quicken your pulse by 30%, nearly doubling the amount of blood your heart is able to pump each minute. They’re also a great tool for sports recovery, helping you feel fresh for your next session.

Just be sure to avoid alcohol, as well as any sweat-stopping medications before your sauna sessions to prevent overheating, and drink at least two to four glasses of water as you cool down gradually afterward. Also, never sauna detox when sick, and if you start to overheat or feel unwell, leave the sauna immediately. For more insights into how much water you should drink to stay properly hydrated, especially after a sweat, check out our detailed guide on the importance of hydration.

Ready to sweat it out? From sweat-wicking, quick-dry sports bras and workout tops to bodysuits, women’s hoodies, and more, P.E Nation has you covered head-to-toe for all your activewear needs.

And with collections like our RE/CREATION release, you’ll be prepared to break a sweat in whatever style suits your fancy, then get on with your day. You can also explore our guide on gym outfits, where we offer expert tips to help you match pieces that perform well and boost your confidence every time you hit the gym.

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Sources:  

National Library of Medicine. A Case-Series Observation of Sweat Rate Variability in Endurance-Trained Athletes.

Michigan State University. Is sweating good for you? 

PBS. Sweaty T-Shirts and Human Mate Choice.

National Library of Medicine. Heavy Metals and Human Health: Possible Exposure Pathways and the Competition for Protein Binding Sites.  

Healthline. The Health Benefits of Sweating.

CDC. Bisphenol A (BPA) Factsheet.

CDC. Learn about Polychlorinated Biphenyls.  

Oxford Academic. Sweating the small stuff: Glycoproteins in human sweat and their unexplored potential for microbial adhesion.  

Piedmont Health. The health benefits of sweating.   

National Kidney Foundation. 6 Easy Ways to Prevent Kidney Stones.

Harvard Health Publishing. Sauna Health Benefits: Are saunas healthy or harmful?