The Truth About Sweating

 Intro:

Sweating is something that all of us have in common, and we all sweat the same way. Or do we? It turns out that sweating does, in fact, have a lot to do with your genes, and some people sweat more than others. The good news is that there are also ways to manage this. If you’re sweating more than you’d like to, keep reading to find out the truth about sweating and how to control it in your own life!

Myth 1: Sweaty armpits mean you have bad hygiene

False. Everyone sweats, even those who do have good hygiene. In fact, experts say that what you eat may have more of an impact on your body odor than how often you wash your hands or change your deodorant. For example, drinking coffee, tea and alcohol can all give off strong odors through sweat. The amount and type of bacteria in your gut also play a role in how often you sweat and what kinds of smells result from it. And finally, some people naturally have a stronger or sweeter body odor than others; most experts agree that if someone tells you that you smell bad without any objective proof (e.g., a doctor), they probably don't like you and are trying to insult you out of spite rather than genuinely having hygiene concerns.

Myth 2: Deodorants are bad for you

These days, we are subjected to so many chemicals in our lives that it’s no wonder many of us worry about what effect these products may have on our health. However, despite concerns over their safety, deodorants, and antiperspirants are classified as cosmetics, not drugs, and are regulated by a different branch of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). According to FDA.gov: To be legally marketed in any form (e.g., solid, liquid, or aerosol), a product must be safe for use by consumers under labeled or customary conditions of use, which includes oral ingestion.

Myth 3: You should avoid sweating at all costs

Sweating is normal, and when you sweat, you’re helping your body to regulate its temperature. When sweat evaporates from your skin, it takes heat with it. Although sweating can make a person feel cold, it actually helps cool their core temperature. Certain activities can trigger more perspiration than others—and certain medical conditions make a person more prone to excessive sweating. In these cases, avoid wearing clothing that restricts airflow and invest in natural fabrics like cotton instead of man-made fibers that don’t allow for much ventilation.

Myth 4: If your sweat doesn’t smell, you aren’t working hard enough

This is just plain false. You should expect to work hard when you’re exercising. If you don’t, you won’t get a good workout or see any results. It doesn’t matter if your sweat smells; if it doesn’t, that just means your body is producing more sweat to cool itself down than others who are working out more vigorously.

Fact 1: Sweaty Armpits Are Normal And Healthy

The human body is designed to keep itself at 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit. When you start sweating, it’s because your temperature is climbing and your body needs to cool down. That doesn’t mean that you are ill or in need of a medical checkup, it just means that you’re healthy and probably running around doing something active. Sweaty armpits aren’t an indicator of illness—so don’t be ashamed when they start to drip. The next time you see someone at work with a few wet spots on their shirt, give them a high five; they may just be more fit than you are! Not convinced?

Fact 2: There Is No Such Thing As Too Much Water

We’ve all heard that we need to drink at least eight glasses of water per day. And while it’s true that most people will become dehydrated if they don’t get enough, a recent study found that drinking more than 17 glasses of water (about 3 liters) had no additional benefit for weight loss—beyond what can be achieved by drinking just one glass of water. So if you want to lose weight, reach for H2O whenever you feel thirsty. But keep in mind that over-hydrating is possible—which can lead to some bad consequences like hyponatremia, an electrolyte imbalance that causes headaches and nausea.

Fact 3: Exercise Benefits Armpit Odor — Not Vice Versa

Exercise does not worsen your body odor. It actually helps improve it, because sweating removes any bacteria from sweat glands and keeps them from becoming clogged. The real causes of body odor are poor hygiene and allowing sweat to sit under your arms. To control armpit odor, use antiperspirant or deodorant each morning after showering. If you have extra stinky sweat, consider seeking professional help to eliminate excess perspiration.

Fact 4: Deodorants Are Helpful, But Not Always Necessary

On average, we sweat about 2.5 liters (2.5 quarts) per day, or about 1 liter (1 quart) an hour when we’re in intense physical activity. It’s also important to keep in mind that as much as body odor can be offensive to others and cause embarrassment, most people actually don’t notice it except when they stand right next to you! Deodorants help reduce excess perspiration and smells—and by most estimates are useful up to 80% of the time—but they aren’t necessary for everyone at all times. This doesn’t mean you should eschew deodorant altogether; just do what works best for your lifestyle. If you’re worried about smelling bad, try using natural antibacterial soaps and taking showers more frequently. If you exercise regularly, look into antiperspirants with aluminum chloride or aluminum zirconium—they work better than other types for preventing odor caused by sweating during workouts. But remember: They won't prevent sweat itself!

Fact 5: Some Causes Of Body Odor Can Be Treated Without Using Deodorant

When you’re experiencing body odor, it can be hard to know if you need to treat yourself with antiperspirant or not. Luckily, there are a few causes of body odor that don’t require special deodorants or treatments. You just need to get rid of whatever you’re eating or drinking (and anything else that's causing odors). Once you do, your body will go back to smelling like normal! Here are some common culprits Coffee, tea, and soda: These three things all contain high levels of caffeine which is known to cause sweating and body odor. If you drink one or more of these beverages every day, try cutting them out for a week and see if your sweat smells better. Some other foods that can make you sweat include spicy foods, certain meats such as garlic chicken and tuna fish, as well as hot peppers. Caffeine may also increase perspiration in people who aren't used to consuming it regularly.

The Truth About Sweating