Sweating Out Toxins: The Truth Behind This Common Myth

Sweating out toxins: the truth behind this common myth

Myth: Sweating purges out the toxins from the body.

Fact: The function of sweat glands is not to remove toxins but rather to cool down the body temperature.

“Sweating is the best way to detox your body.”
“You should exercise more to sweat out the toxins.”
“Excessive sweating in a sauna will cleanse your body.”

You must have heard these pretenses about sweating. But does sweat get rid of toxins? The short answer is no. It is just a myth. Period!

“The body has its own detox system — the liver, kidneys, and digestive system. No amount of sweating or juice cleansing is going to replace that.” – Dr. Mark Hyman.

Then what does sweating do? And how does the body remove toxins?

Read on to find the answer to these questions and know more about this sweating and detox myth.

What are toxins?

Before we outset the “toxin sweating myth” topic, let’s be apprised of what toxins truly are and how they can harm the human body. Toxins are mainly divided into two major categories: metabolic and environmental toxins.

Metabolic toxins are the waste products produced by the body. They are the by-products of normal metabolism that can harm the body. Metabolic toxins include carbon dioxide and urea.

Environmental toxins are harmful substances that are further categorized into chemical, biological, and physical. They include pesticides, heavy metals (lead, mercury, cadmium, arsenic), microorganisms (bacteria, mold, viruses), alcohol, and food additives. Such toxins can cause medical conditions like cancer, respiratory issues, and cardiovascular diseases.

Our detox system

Now, you may be wondering if such harmful substances are making their way into our body’s system; we must do something. Fear not; the body’s natural processes are enough to perform detoxification, but is sweating one of them? Certainly not.

The heavy lifters of the human body detox system are the liver and kidney. The other components of our body’s detoxification system include the lungs, small intestine, skin, blood vessels, lymph nodes, and immune system. They all play their role in removing toxins from the body naturally.

The liver breaks down the harmful substances and converts them into waste products. Our kidneys filter out the toxins in our blood and remove them through urine.

The lungs eliminate gases like carbon dioxide from the body through the nostrils. The immune system protects us against microorganisms like viruses and bacteria. The skin is the largest organ; it acts as a barrier and protects us from harmful environmental toxins.

Sweating and detox myth

Body sweat is water mixed with a trace amount of salt, urea, carbohydrates, and protein released by the body. Sweating is a natural process of our body’s system to cool its temperature through evaporation.

When we exert ourselves physically – especially in hot conditions like being under the sun or when we experience stress – our sweat glands release water. This water evaporates upon contact with the outside environment, creating a cooling effect on our skin.

Although sweating is the cooling mechanism of our body and its main function is to regulate body temperature, it may also hydrate the skin and protect it against infection, as it contains some amino acids and antimicrobial substances.

But the question persists: can you really sweat out toxins? While it is true that heavy metals and certain toxins cannot be sweated out, our sweat does contain small traces of toxins. The amount of these toxins in sweat is not even 1% of the toxins that you are consuming daily through diet. However, based on this, we can’t say that sweating is a major key to removing toxins from your body naturally.

It is a common myth that saunas and vigorous exercise help flush out toxins. In reality, this is not the case.

Deliberately sweating excessively – like doing strenuous workout or using a sauna to sweat out toxins – would not do any good but may be harmful to your body as it may cause dehydration and electrolyte imbalance. Secondly, if we sweat a lot, our bodies will try to save more water; to do so, our kidneys will not properly eliminate toxins from the blood.

There are other benefits of exercising and sauna, such as improved relaxation and blood circulation. However, it’s important to maintain your electrolyte balance by staying hydrated.

Can we detoxify our body at home naturally?

There are some ways to support the body’s detox system naturally.

- Increase your water intake, as it helps to regulate temperature, aids in digestion, and flushes out toxins through urine.

- Limit your alcohol consumption so you don’t have to search “can you sweat out toxins from alcohol”.

- Start eating a balanced diet. Add food that contains detoxification properties, like coriander and nori, into your diet.

- Consume foods with antioxidant properties like berries, fruits, leafy greens, nuts, and chocolates. Studies have shown beverages like tea and coffee also contain antioxidant properties.

- Improve your sleep cycle and get 7 to 8 hours of sleep daily.

- Avoid food items that contain additives and preservatives.

Final note

Sweating does not help flush out toxins from the body. There is no need to detox your body using saunas, intense exercise, or hot yoga for toxin removal, as the human body has its natural detoxification system. Excessive sweating can cause harm to your body.

So far, there is no scientific evidence that supports the myth that sweating cleanses the impurities from the body. You can support your body’s natural detox system by following a healthy lifestyle. If you notice you are sweating less or more, consult your healthcare provider or book an appointment with our GP.

References:

- “Physiology of Sweat Gland Function: The Roles of Sweating and Sweat Composition in Human Health,” 2019

- Professional, C. C. M. (2025, February 7). Sweat. Cleveland Clinic.

- Carlsen, M. H., Halvorsen, B. L., Holte, K., Bøhn, S. K., Dragland, S., Sampson, L., Willey, C., Senoo, H., Umezono, Y., Sanada, C., Barikmo, I., Berhe, N., Willett, W. C., Phillips, K. M., Jacobs, D. R., & Blomhoff, R. (2010). The total antioxidant content of more than 3100 foods, beverages, spices, herbs and supplements used worldwide. Nutrition Journal, 9(1).