A woman enjoys an infrared sauna in New York City. While such experiences can have a variety of benefits, claims that they help people sweat out toxins are not backed up by science.
- Gory Details
Fact or fiction: Can you really sweat out toxins?
There are plenty of good reasons to work up a sweat. Experts weigh in on whether "detoxifying" your body is one of them.
Sweating is a bodily function that used to be taboo, with women in particular being told they don’t sweat, they glow. But look at any fashion magazine or beauty blog today, and you’ll find that sweat is in style. From infrared saunas to hot yoga, towel-soaking activities are being touted not only as relaxation tools, but also as ways to stay healthy by flushing out toxins.
Too bad you can’t sweat away toxins any more than you can sweat actual bullets. Recently published calculations back up what scientists have been screaming into their pillows for years: Sweating out toxins is a myth.
Humans sweat to cool ourselves, not to excrete waste products or clear toxic substances. That’s what our kidneys and
