Why men sweat and women glow

2 mins to read

Research has shed new light on the reasons why men sweat more than women. Andrew Cate looks at the differences between the sexes and offers some tips on how to sweat a little less.

Energy & exercise

Why do we sweat?

Sweat is one way the body reduces heat and regulates your core body temperature. Sweat is released by millions of glands located all over your body, although they are concentrated in areas such as your armpits and palms. When sweat evaporates, its cooling effect draws heat away from blood flowing near the skin’s surface. This blood then circulates internally and helps to cool your body. It also helps your body to exercise for longer.

Do men and women sweat differently?

Recent research reported in the journal Experimental Physiology established that men do indeed sweat more, but they also sweat more efficiently.

The study compared four groups of cyclists, including trained and untrained females, and trained and untrained males. The subjects’ sweating response was measured as they cycled continuously for an hour in a controlled environment at different exertion levels.

The trained subjects had an improved (quicker) sweat response in both sexes, but the degree of improvement was greater in men. This became even more pronounced as the level of exercise intensity increased.

The results also showed that men start sweating at a lower core body temperature than women, regardless of fitness. According to the researchers, these findings support previous studies that have shown that men sweat more than women, partly because testosterone may enhance the sweating response. Women generally also have less body fluid than men, so they have less fluid to lose.

How to manage excessive sweating

Everybody sweats, although some guys sweat more than others. Sweat during exercise cools you down and improves performance, however excessive sweat during everyday life can be a problem for some men. The following tips may be helpful if you sweat excessively or would like to take more control over how much you sweat.

Be prepared – If it’s hot, or an occasion when you want to keep sweat to a minimum, get organized by carrying a change of shirt along with some deodorant, body spray and a towel. Arrive at your destination early to prevent stress-induced sweating, and allow your body to cool down.
Maintain a healthy level of body fat – Fat acts as an insulator of heat which raises the core body temperature of people who are overweight. By maintaining a low level of body fat, you may well sweat less than if you had excess body fat.
Cut back on spicy foods – Hot foods such as chili, mustard and wasabi may increase the rate at which you sweat, so cut back or cut them out.
Drink more cold water and less hot drinks – Hot drinks like tea and coffee warm you up, while cold water can help to regulate your body temperature and prevent dehydration, especially if you sweat excessively.
Use a good deodorant – Experiment with different brands to see which ones work best, and make sure to apply it to your whole armpit.

Remember to see your healthcare professional if you are concerned about excess sweat.

Agree? Disagree? Tell us in the comment section below.

References available on request