Sweating is a natural process that is just what our body needs to cool off. And according to the Cleveland Clinic, sweat is pretty amazing in that it is actually more pure than much of the water we drink. Imagine that!
On its own, sweat is 99 percent water and is odorless. But when it combines with bacteria, it stinks. That’s what causes that awful B.O that makes us move two chairs down from whoever has the “funk.”
Where Does Sweat Come From?
People sweat from lots of different places, but we most often sweat in our armpits, feet and hands. According to Medline Plus, sweat glands produce perspiration, and how much sweat is released really depends on the number of sweat glands. Most people have somewhere between two and four million of these little numbers, and they reach their full glory when puberty sets in.
The thing is there are two kinds of sweat -- common sweat and stress sweat. Common sweat is what we experience when we’re hot -- like when we work out. But stress sweat is a thicker type of sweat that may surface in our armpits or nether regions. Plus, we can have what is called “flop sweat.” Flop sweat occurs when apocrine sweat meets the bacteria on our body. This type of sweat smells just plain funky.
Sweat smells different from person to person, so your sweat won’t smell like your workout partner's. When bacteria mingles with sweat on your body, this creates your unique scent.
Too Much Sweat – or Not Enough?
When it comes to reasons why we sweat, hormones can be an important factor. In fact, Prevention says that women sweat more during two hormonally turbulent times: pregnancy and menopause. This is because hormones shift, and the brain gets a bit confused and thinks that the body is hot. In turn, the body kicks in to save the day.
Plus, sweat can indicate an underlying condition called hyperhidrosis. According to the Cleveland Clinic, hyperhidrosis is a condition that causes ample amounts of sweat. This can occur all over the body, or just in specific places.
But if you don’t sweat enough, you could have anhidrosis. This condition occurs when the sweat glands call it quits. Lots of things can cause this condition -- diabetes, genetics, alcoholism and even certain skin conditions. Anhidrosis can be fatal because the body simply can’t cool down.
Another reason for sweating can be attributed to good old stress. According to Men’s Health, this sweat is different from the sweat produced during exercise. In fact, both come from different glands -- and both smell different. And research shows that people view these types of sweat differently.
Salt is another substance that can play a role in sweat. According to Reader’s Digest, when sweat seems salty, it means we need more sodium. So if you notice that your sweat tastes salty or burns your eyes, you may need to consume more salt. Streaky white marks where you've perspired can be a sign of a need for more salt. To counter a lack of sodium, simply add a moderate amount of salt to your food. And consider drinking a sports drink after or during a rigorous workout.
Health Red Flags in Sweat
According to Prevention, normal blood sugar levels reflect a number between 70 and 100 milligrams per deciliter. However, a number less than 70 can cause reactions, including increased sweating among other symptoms, like a fast heartbeat, dizziness and blurred vision. That said, food and drink can correct this problem.
But that’s not all that sweat can teach you about your body. It can even show that you’re in great shape. According to Women’s Health, a study conducted in Japan found that if you’re fit, you’ll start sweating earlier in a workout. This means that if you sweat sooner, you’re meeting your fitness goals.
And sweating can even indicate depression. According to Reader’s Digest, emotions like fear, stress and happiness can cause more sweat -- and affect how sweat smells. However, depression changes the reaction to these types of stimuli. We respond to a lesser degree, which can have serious consequences. A German-Swedish study concluded that this response was seen in 97 percent of patients struggling with depression who later chose to end their lives.
The good news is that experts have developed a way to measure just what is in sweat to diagnose health problems. According to Time, a new type of “wearable technology” is in the works. This device will be able to monitor the makeup of your sweat to tell you a little something about your health.
Time says that the project has been spearheaded by Ali Javey, professor of electrical engineering and computer sciences at University of California, Berkeley, and consists of researchers from the University of California, Berkeley and Stanford University. The sensor uses sweat to measure skin temperature, sodium, potassium, glucose and lactate. These measurements can indicate dehydration and muscle fatigue. And best of all, it doesn’t take much sweat for the device to function. In fact, researchers say it takes just one-fifth of a drop.
This device may later show what blood tests now indicate and on a regular basis. “It can measure a lot of things you can normally measure in blood…but this gives you the opportunity to make many, many measurements over time,” Ron Davis, one of the authors and professor of biochemistry and genetics and director of the Stanford Genome Technology Center, tells Time.
So in the future, you just may be able to monitor sweat on a continuous basis to know what your sweat says about your health. But in the meantime, a visit to the doctor is necessary. If you think that sweat may reflect an underlying health issue, see your doctor in order to rule out concerning health conditions.