NPR

7 fun facts about sweat

Perspiration can be a stinky nuisance as temperatures climb, but scientists say we shouldn't sell sweat short. There's so much more to the briny stuff than meets the eye.
There's nothing stinky about the salty sweat dripping from your face after a run. It's just your body throwing off otherwise dangerous heat.

Phew, this summer was hot — and some places are still roasting! With people around the world experiencing dangerously high, record-breaking temperatures, we've all been sweating it.

You might find perspiration a nuisance most of the time, but that salty liquid oozing from your skin is key to keeping you cool. And there's so much more to the briny stuff than meets the eye.

Several NPR science staffers braved the heat this summer to get the dirt on sweat. These

You’re reading a preview, subscribe to read more.

More from NPR

NPR3 min read
Bearing Witness, Celebrating Strength: How Poetry Has Changed Lives For NPR's Audience
From sparking the imagination to helping with mental health, listen to poems read by NPR readers and see how poetry has affected their lives.
NPR3 min readAmerican Government
Who Is Hope Hicks, The Former Trump Adviser Testifying In New York Criminal Trial?
Hope Hicks was a communications director for the Trump White House and prosecutors may question her on her knowledge of the deals made during his first presidential run.
NPR3 min read
Scientists Welcome New Rules On Marijuana, But Research Will Still Face Obstacles
When marijuana becomes a Schedule III instead of a Schedule I substance under federal rules, researchers will face fewer barriers to studying it. But there will still be some roadblocks for science.

Related Books & Audiobooks