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Does sweating burn calories? This is a common question asked by gymgoers. The 'no pain, no gain' fitness culture often makes people believe that exhaustion is equivalent to progress in fitness.
Sweating is a physiological process that the body uses to maintain core body temperature by releasing water through the skin. It's regulated by various hormones and neurons in the neuroendocrine system.
So, does sweating burn calories? Is it significant enough to lose weight? How do you measure the number of calories burnt by sweating? In this article, we will try to answer some of these questions along with surprising facts that might catch your interest.
Does sweating burn calories?
Heavy physical activity, anxiety, panic moments and other conditions trigger sweating naturally. Adrenaline is a hormone that controls sweating during mental and psychological stress. During exercise, the hypothalamus maintains core body temperature through sweat secretion and increased blood circulation.
It's a matter of fact that any physiological process requires energy, which can be expressed in calories. Sweating also requires the expenditure of calories just like any other process.
It has to be kept in mind that sweating is a comparatively minor physiological process and is not energy intensive. The amount of calories burnt during sweating is quite low compared to other processes.
Does sweating burn fat?
While answering the previous question: does sweating burn calories, we have already mentioned that all active physiological processes require some amount of energy.
Energy molecules (ATP) can be derived from both body fat, circulating glucose and ketones in the blood. Its possible that sweating might burn some amount of fat, but it would be a negligible amount.
Does sweating help you lose weight?
While answering the question: does sweating burn calories, we have mentioned that it's a process that burns energy in the form of ATP, which is the main energy molecule in the body.
Calories burnt might have an effect on your weight only when you burn a significant number of calories. Hence, there's no significant evidence to suggest that sweating helps you lose weight.
Does sweating burn calories? How many calories does it burn?
It's difficult to measure the number of calories burnt while sweating of any kind. The number of calories burnt would depend on the type of activity. The higher the intensity of the exercise, the higher the number of calories burnt.
Remember that a proper exercise regime is required, along with a balanced diet, to maintain fitness and lose weight. If you're working out in an air-conditioned room and not sweating, there's no need to worry about: does sweating burn calories.
Sweating is good for you due to many reasons, but a healthy lifestyle can be followed without overtraining yourself. Keep your diet well-planned, and follow a diet that suits you for the best results.
Does sweating burn calories? Health risks
Excessive sweating can cause dehydration. Watch out for the following signs and symptoms of dehydration to prevent any severe conditions:
- extreme exhaustion or confusion
- dizziness
- not urinating for hours
- weak pulse
- rapid pulse
- seizure
- loss of consciousness
Dehydration can also be associated with nausea and vomiting. For severe dehydration, consult a doctor immediately.
Indranil Biswas is a nutritionist and personal trainer with a diploma in dietetics and personal training with a specialization in sports nutrition and strength training.
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