6 Science-Backed Reasons to Embrace Your Sweaty Self

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I’m sure you don’t need me to remind you, but we are in the middle of a serious heat wave. With temps in the city crawling up to triple-digits today, plus humidity, anyone who steps foot outside for more than a few minutes is bound to be a sweaty, sticky mess. I, for one, am no fan of the heat. This is my first summer in Philly, and I’m thoroughly accustomed to the Northern way of receding into air conditioning until there’s snow on the ground. Turning into a sweaty disaster on my five-minute walk to the train is a brand-new phenomena for me, and one that I’m not exactly loving.

But did you know that all that sweat is actually healthy? Here, I found six science-backed reasons that being a sweaty pig actually is good for you. (Just don’t forget to hydrate, hydrate, hydrate!) It sure isn’t going to transform me into a summer-lover, but it might help me sleep just the tiniest bit better in my unairconditioned apartment tonight. In the meantime, if you have an igloo I can borrow, let me know. 

1. Sweat regulates body temperature.
via Livestrong

This is the big one, folks. When it’s hot as heck, your core body temperature goes up, and your body produces sweat as a response. As it evaporates off your skin, you cool down. Just be extra careful in high humidity—the moisture in the air means less gets evaporated off your body, making it easier to overheat.

2. It fights infection.
via MSN Healthy Living

Sweat contains two compounds, nitrite and Dermicidin, which have antibacterial properties that can help kill the gross stuff that might be hanging out on your skin, including bacteria like MRSA.

3. You heal faster, too.
via Prevention

In a University of Michigan study, researchers found that eccrine glands, a type of sweat gland, triggered skin-regenerating stem cells when activated, helping wounds and skin lacerations heal faster.

4. It’s good for your skin.
via Fitness

Sweat opens up your pores and helps to flush out all the dirt that builds up in them. Just make sure to wash your face after working out, to get all the gunk off the surface of your skin.

5. Your circulation improves.
via MSN Healthy Living

As core temps go up and your sweat glands become more active, blood flow to the skin increases, resulting in better circulation.

6. It can even help curb asthma.
via Science Daily

Another study from the University of Michigan found that those with exercise-induced asthma produce less sweat than those without breathing problems. Meaning, your damp, sweaty self can probably breathe easier than some of your drier pals.

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