Mostly everyone sweats from now and then, but why do we sweat? Our bodies are able to adapt to different environments very quickly. One way our body adapts to environments is by sweating.

When our bodies get too hot, they release water and minerals from our pores in order to maintain body temperature. This is known as perspiration or sweating. Sweating helps protect our bodies in many ways.

Sweating helps to protect us from any damaging elements of the sun and helps to cool us down. When we release water and minerals, the sweat creates a barrier against the sun’s rays so the heat is not transferred to our skin. Water cools down quickly and is very effective when there is wind, so when our sweat becomes cool, our bodies will too.

When our bodies loose or release water, it helps to reduce to body’s core body temperature. Perspiration also removes excess minerals from the body which are usually salt. This is why sweat usually tastes like salt.

Sweating usually occurs when exercising, in hot climates, or during stressful situations. If you sweat because of stress, sweating usually transpires in specific areas. When it is physical, sweating occurs all over the body.

We have around two to five million sweat glands in our body, so every part of our body can be protected. When we sweat, we loose large amounts of water so sometimes it can be more of a problem than a benefit. When you are in a hot climate, make sure to drink plenty of water and stay in the shade as much as possible so you will not get dehydrated.

Do some people sweat more than others? Yes, some people do sweat more than others and sometimes it is because of a condition called Hyperhidrosis. The main cause for Hyperhidrosis is unknown but some doctors believe that this excess sweating does not help the body cool down.

Hyperhidrosis can be treated in many different ways. One of the most common ways are antiperspirants. Antiperspirants plug up the sweat ducts which controls the excess sweating. Another way it is treated is by medication. Medication helps to prevent the stimulation of sweat glands. Iontophoresis is also another way it is treated. It is a procedure that temporarily turns off the sweat glands by using electricity.

People who keep themselves in good shape with regular exercise and a healthy diet will probably sweat less than someone who is not in such a good shape.

This relates to biology because sweating helps us to maintain homoeostasis. Homoeostasis is the body’s ability to maintain a balance. Some of these balances are blood pressure, body temperature, and blood sugar levels.