All humans, most mammals and even plants sweat (during the dog days of summer, you can catch trees dripping sweat from their leaves). You’re used to sweating during tough workouts, hot days and high-stress situations, but have you ever thought about the science behind perspiration? The sweat rolling off your skin is crucial for your body to function at its best. This blog serves as a quick crash course on the science of sweat.

Where Does Sweat Come From?

There are more than 2 million sweat glands in your skin. These glands are split into two types: eccrine and apocrine glands, both of which perspire. Eccrine glands are the most common source of sweat and have the critical role of regulating body temperature. Whether you’re working out or catching some sun, you’re putting these glands on the forehead, hands and feet to work. Meanwhile, apocrine glands produce sweat in your armpits and hair follicles that are triggered during times of stress and anxiety.

Regardless of the source of sweat, perspiration occurs due to overstimulation, air temperature and exercise in an effort to rid the body of extra heat. In layman’s terms, you have your hormones, environment and muscles to thank for sparking sweat.

This process regulates our body temperatures (a crucial component to survival) to avoid overheating and encourage proper functioning of hormones and enzymes, but that’s not the only advantage of sweat.

Beyond temperature regulation, sweat boosts the immune system to battle colds and infections, speeds the healing process for cuts and wounds, lowers risk of kidney stones, removes a bit of toxins from the body and releases beloved, mood-boosting endorphins. While sweat’s role as the body’s air conditioning system tends to steal the spotlight, these additional benefits are all byproducts of sweat.

Beyond temperature regulation, sweat boosts the immune system to battle colds and infections, speeds the healing process for cuts and wounds, lowers risk of kidney stones, removes a bit of toxins from the body and releases beloved, mood-boosting endorphins. While sweat’s role as the body’s air conditioning system tends to steal the spotlight, these additional benefits are all byproducts of sweat.

The Drawback of Sweat

Sweat is made up of mostly water, as well as sugars and salts like sodium and chloride with a dash of potassium, magnesium and calcium. As sweat evaporates, it leaves these chemical compounds on your skin (hence the salty taste). While the benefits of sweat are outstanding, your body can’t afford this excess loss of salt and water without ill effects.

Think of it this way: As sweat evaporates into the air, the water and salt it takes with it needs to be replaced through hydration. If you’re not hydrating, the benefits of sweat are swapped for the drawbacks of dehydration.

The Sweat Solution

The solution to making the most of sweat’s benefits is simple: Be proactive with your hydration. The water, salt and sugars lost via sweat should be replaced with water and quality electrolytes for proper recovery. Liquid I.V.’s non-GMO drink mix hydrates faster and more efficiently than water alone. Using Cellular Transport Technology (CTT), Liquid I.V. delivers water, electrolytes and other key nutrients directly to your bloodstream. This delicious drink mix makes it easy to replenish the loss of fluids that come with excessive sweating. By maximizing hydration efforts, you’ll experience the benefits of sweat without the concern of dehydration.

The bottom line: Sweat is a crucial element of proper body function. Pairing your hard work and heat exposure with rapid rehydration like Liquid I.V. will ensure you sweat safely and effectively.