Why do we sweat?
For grown-ups: the science
We sweat because sweat helps carry extra heat away and cools our bodies.
Sweat is produced by eccrine sweat glands, especially during heat exposure and exercise. Evaporation requires energy, which is taken as heat from the skin, cooling the body; airflow speeds evaporation. Sweat also contains small amounts of salts and other substances, but its main cooling role comes from water evaporation.
What about...?
Ask your child's own questionTranscript
After running, your skin may feel wet. Why does your body make sweat?
When you play hard or feel hot, your body makes heat. Tiny sweat glands in your skin send sweat to the surface.
Sweat is mostly water. As it changes into water vapor in the air, it takes heat away from your skin.
That helps cool your body down. A breeze can make sweat change into water vapor faster.
So sweat helps your body let go of extra heat and cool down.
