Whether you’re perspiring at the gym or simply strolling under the sun on a scorching day, you may be enhancing your well-being. In this article, professionals reveal the cognitive, physical, and emotional advantages of perspiration.

What Is Perspiration, Anyway?

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When you start to feel tiny droplets of perspiration forming on your forehead, your body has received the message that its temperature has slightly exceeded 98.6 degrees, whether it resulted from muscle activity generating internal heat or a sauna warming up the surface of your skin. “Perspiration is a cooling mechanism that maintains our internal core temperature within a safe range,” states Thad Wilson, Ph.D., a professor of physiology at the University of Kentucky College of Medicine, who has conducted extensive research on perspiration. (Wait, how much should you genuinely perspire during a workout?)

Our sweat glands are situated one to two levels below the surface of our skin — within the dermis and hypodermis layers, respectively — with ducts that ascend to the surface and widen at the conclusion, forming our pores. These sweat glands carry salt and other microscopic substances (more on those later) from the blood and fluid surrounding cells into the central cavity of the gland; it is this movement of salt that subsequently draws water into the cavity. “As perspiration is emitted through our pores, it evaporates, consequently cooling the skin.” The blood within the capillaries just beneath the surface can release heat and circulate throughout the body, thus reducing our internal temperature.

“It appears that we perspire more in our underarms or groin area, but that’s because those regions are covered by clothing and not exposed to the air for evaporation,” states Patti Christie, Ph.D., a chemistry and biology lecturer at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The apocrine sweat glands in those hot spots also attract significant attention because (researchers are uncertain why) they additionally secrete fats and other cellular waste that bacteria on our skin thrive on, generating that distinct musky scent. The true cooling-down effect comes from eccrine sweat glands, which cover the rest of our body.

Apart from keeping you cool and content, is perspiration beneficial for you? Here, professionals dissect the advantages of perspiration that will make you eager to enroll in another HIIT class.

Moisturizes Skin

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Enhances Exercise Performance

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“We’re consistently perspiring to a certain degree, whether we perceive it or not,” states Wilson. “One reason for this is to ensure that the outermost layer of the skin remains well-hydrated.” In its predominantly water and salt composition, sweat also contains minuscule quantities of other substances present in the fluid surrounding our cells. Two of these substances are natural hydrators: urea, which is a byproduct of protein metabolism primarily expelled in urine; and lactate, a molecule generated by muscles during intense physical activity. Due to the presence of urea and lactate, sweat helps maintain the suppleness of our skin, remarks Erin Kil, M.D., the creator of New Bloom Dermatology in New York. “Properly hydrating our outermost skin layer, known as the stratum corneum [also called the epidermis], is crucial, as it serves as the ultimate defense against external pathogens and foreign particles,” she explains. “If this layer becomes excessively dry, it will not perform its functions effectively.” (A timely reminder to apply moisturizer: Despite the benefits of perspiration, winter air and indoor heating can dehydrate the skin.)

Combats Bacteria

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Sweat also possesses an antiseptic quality due to the presence of various trace components in its mixture. “Sweat contains antimicrobial peptides — cathelicidin, lactoferrin, and dermicidin — which offer protection against infections and conditions such as acne and eczema,” explains Dr. Kil. However, this does not imply that spending more time in a sweaty state is advantageous. “The antibacterial benefits are intended for temporary safeguarding—if the sweat lingers for too long, it can create an environment conducive to bacterial growth,” she cautions. When showering, opt for a sulfate-free cleanser instead of traditional soap, as it effectively cleanses the skin without causing dryness. (Showering isn’t the sole task you should complete within 30 minutes of exercising.)

Enhances Workout Performance

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The more efficient your body is at perspiring, the better it maintains its internal temperature — one crucial aspect in your workout performance. (These impressive cooling towels help, though, as well.) Individuals who are more physically fit perspire more in anticipation of an increase in core temperature and a greater need for cooling, says Wilson. “That means they can often engage in physical activity for a longer duration and with more comfort,” he says. The positive news is you can train your sweat glands in the same way you train your cardiovascular system. “We’ve conducted research demonstrating that individuals who trained on an exercise bike for eight weeks subsequently experience enhanced sweating capacity,” says Wilson. “They improved their overall fitness by 20 percent and their ability to perspire by 30 percent,” he says.

Alleviates Discomfort

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Got a knot in your neck that won’t quit (and no one around to massage it out)? Working up a sweat just might ease the pain, experts say. “Exercise stimulates neurochemical pathways in the brain, resulting in the production of endorphins that act as natural pain relievers,” says James Ting, M.D., a sports medicine physician at Hoag Orthopedic Institute in Irvine, California.

Cleanses Skin

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Another significant advantage of perspiring for your skin: “When you perspire, your pores open and release the dirt and grime that has accumulated inside of them,” says Whitney Bowe, M.D., a dermatologist in Briarcliff Manor, New York. However, be cautious: don’t just sweat and go. All of that dirt from your pores accumulates on the surface of your skin, so aim to cleanse your face three times a day, especially if you frequently participate in sports or engage in physical activity.

Regulates Emotions

Perhaps you’ve already noticed — prior to a workout, you’re on edge, but afterwards, you feel like embracing everyone and giving high fives. It seems natural to associate feeling warm with a sense of well-being and relaxation, but there may, in fact, be a scientific explanation for this sensation, says Dr. Ting. “Research has suggested that temperature-sensitive neural circuits to specific regions in the brain exist and may have a significant role in regulating emotions,” he explains. So the next time you feel yourself becoming irritable, take a break for a Bikram yoga session or a run to achieve a mood-boosting solution.

Prevents Colds and Other Infections

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If you’ve ever desired to wander around saturating everything in disinfectant wipes to ward off illness, you might be fortunate, thanks to this advantage of perspiring. A study from Eberhard Karls University Tubingen in Germany indicates that human sweat contains a naturally occurring antimicrobial peptide called dermcidin, which has been demonstrated to combat tuberculosis germs and other perilous pathogens, says Dr. Bowe.

What’s more, when your body activates the sprinklers, it’s a positive indication that you’re probably elevating your core temperature enough to benefit your immune system. “When your core temperature rises, your body augments the quantity of white blood cells,” says Christie. Indeed, one reason your body experiences a fever during a viral or bacterial infection is because many pathogens’ proteins have a reduced tolerance to heat compared to your own proteins, so the surge in temperature aids in overcoming the intruders.

Regulates Body Temperature

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The evaporation of perspiration off the skin prevents overheating during a demanding workout, says Dr. Bowe. So, what would occur if you didn’t sweat? “In extreme cases, the absence of sweat during a seemingly arduous workout could be attributed to a condition known as anhidrosis that may result in lightheadedness, a skin rash, or loss of consciousness during exercise,” says Morin.

Lowers Kidney Stone Risk

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Research from the University of Washington discovered that regular exercisers perspire out salt and tend to retain calcium in their bones, instead of allowing them — salt and calcium — to enter the kidneys and urine where stones develop. Frequent sweaters also tend to consume more water and fluids, which is another mechanism for preventing stones.

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