Sweating is a natural body function.  Different physical activities, emotional disturbances, nervous stimulation, exercise, and metabolism produce heat within the body. The process of sweating is used by the body to pass off excess heat using an evaporative process.   This evaporative process requires a large amount of energy (read calories) to produce significant volumes of sweat.  In fact, the human body can produce over 2 litres of sweat in an hour which requires the burning of over 600 calories. 

There are around 2.6 million sweat glands in an average human. Sweat glands are long, coiled and tubular cells. The coiled portion produces sweat while the long duct connects it to pore or other opening on skin’s surface. Upon stimulation, sweat glands produce a fluid similar to plasma. This fluid contains mostly water with sodium and chlorine and small amounts of potassium. It does not contain fatty acids or proteins. Skin capillaries deposit this fluid between cells, which are interstitial spaces. This fluid then passes from the coiled portion to the straight tube leading to openings in the skins surface.  There are two main types of sweat glands. Apocrine glands are sweat glands of the armpits and genital regions. These glands are attached to hair follicles. Eccrine sweat glands are present all over body with greater concentration in soles of feet, palms of hands and forehead. These glands excrete from pores in the skin.

The body will produce less sweat, if any, during cool temperatures or during resting periods. Hence, cells of the straight duct reabsorb sodium and chlorine from fluid through the osmotic absorption of water. This sweat is found to contain higher amounts of potassium. During high temperatures or during strenuous exercise, cells of the straight duct do not have time to reabsorb sodium and chlorine from the fluid. Therefore, it will contain more sodium and chlorine and less of potassium. The far-infrared heat of saunas penetrates deep into skin and causes the body to sweat at temperatures of around 110-140 F.

 Why your body sweats

Sweating is a necessary and natural function of the human body. It is important for cooling the body in high temperatures. Sweat also excretes toxins and other pollutants and keeps the inner systems clean. The rate of evaporation of sweat is low in humid weather as the outside air has plenty of moisture. In dry weather, the rate of evaporation is higher allowing your body to cool down due to the evaporation of sweat. However, excessive evaporation can lead to dehydration due to the body’s loss of moisture and salt. Such loss can result in kidney failure, heat stroke and circulatory problems. Therefore, it is important to increase fluid intake in high temperatures.

Nervousness, fear and anxiety increase sympathetic nerve activities and adrenal gland secretions. This stimulates sweat glands of the palms and armpits. This is known as cold sweat. Excess nerve activity of sympathetic nerves changes electrical resistance; this is the basis of lie detector tests. Also known as diaphoresis, excessive sweating may not be due to emotional or physical activities. Rather, it could indicate an abnormal medical condition associated with the thyroid gland, nerves, hormonal imbalances, or high caffeine intake.

By excreting accumulated toxic substances, sweating is the human body’s natural cleansing system. Infrared sauna heaters penetrate deep into fatty cells and gently heat them to remove cellulite deposits thereby clearing toxic substances. Far-Infrared technology combined with traditional sauna baths can eliminate unnecessary deposits from body tissues through Hyperthermic therapy. Sweating is an important detoxification process.

Benefits of sweating for health
Through excessive sweating, the Infrared sauna causes the body to burn calories. It is an effective remedy for muscular pains and spasms, headaches, arthritis, sprains, back pains and cardiovascular ailments. Better blood circulation carries off metabolic waste and supplies oxygenated blood to muscles for quick recovery. Sauna heat increases the body’s temperature to create an artificial fever, thereby strengthening the body’s immune system and overall health. This therapy relaxes both body and mind, which will be reflective in the natural healthy glow of the skin amongst the less visible physical benefits. 

Infrared sauna deep cleanses the skin and is quite effective for acne, eczema, burns, scars and cuts. It increases skin tone and elasticity, adding a radiant glow. It clears pores of toxins and excretes cellulite deposits. Prolonged exposure to Infrared sauna will not cause sunburn. It is a safe and healthy alternative to traditional saunas.