Tense with suppressed meaning
Researchers say women really do sweat far less than men, particularly during intensive exercise.
On average, they tend to perspire half as much after similar amounts of physical activity in the same temperatures.
Sweating is an essential bodily function which cools us down. As we release fluid through our skin it evaporates, and this process takes heat from the body, lowering our overall temperature.
Scientists believe that thousands of years ago men evolved to sweat more than women as they tended to be more active.
They needed to cool down quickly while hunting wild animals in sweltering heat, for example.
By contrast, women evolved to sweat less, the experts believe. Their smaller bodies contain less water than men’s so if they perspire too much, there is a danger they will become dehydrated.
The Japanese researchers warn that women may be more at risk from heat stroke as their bodies are not as good at naturally cooling themselves down.
But the scientists also discovered that very fit people sweat the most, regardless of sex. Someone who plays a lot of sport will give off 60 per cent more bodily fluid during exercise than someone of the same sex who is relatively inactive.
photo { Stephanie Gonot }
