Many of us who love getting in an intense workout often wonder – "Does more sweating equal more health benefit?" It sure does feel like it. Working up a great sweat during running, kickboxing, hot yoga or even giving the house a thorough deep clean feels even better than an intense workout where we don't sweat as much.
However, there's no evidence that sweating – in and of itself – is better for your health.
"There's this entrenched idea that it's good to 'sweat things out,'" said Dr. Oliver Jay, a professor of exercise physiology at the University of Ottawa in Canada, in a recent New York Times article. In fact, said Jay – who is also the director of the Thermal Ergonomics Laboratory – "sweating, per se, provides no health benefits."
More sweat is only beneficial to the body in that it equals more exercise. The reason we sweat more when the air is humid is because the perspiration doesn't evaporate from our bodies as it otherwise would, and evaporation is the mechanism that cools our bodies. Perspiring is how the body naturally regulates its temperature. Thus, in a humid situation, we sweat more, but it does not have extra health benefits over doing the same exact workout routine in a less humid environment.
And sometimes, more sweat can actually be dangerous if you don't stay hydrated. The more you sweat, the more water you should drink to stave off dehydration. Aside from during exercise, sweat is normal and common when people, are anxious, have low blood sugar, eat spicy foods or are in warmer environments.
If sweating can't be explained or is accompanied by chest pain, pressure, fever, rapid heartbeat or shortness of breath, make sure to see a doctor.
