Sweating is the body's natural cooling mechanism that frequently accompanies vigorous exercise. Despite the claims of products such as saunas and sweat suits, sweating alone makes very little impact in the body's rate of fat absorption. While it's possible to see a temporary drop in weight after periods of heavy sweating, this can be a deceptive indicator of the weight-loss benefits of perspiration.
Water Weight
According to the Military Fitness Center, the process of sweating causes water and electrolytes to leave the body. While this may appear to be weight loss, this "water weight" is immediately recovered as soon as you begin consuming fluids. Wrestlers and other athletes who are required to weigh themselves for tournament rankings will often take diuretics to temporarily remove water from the body and create a momentary drop in weight.
Sweating and Metabolism
While the act of sweating does not offer any long-term weight loss benefits, the added heat of your exercise or environment may temporarily increase your Basal Metabolic Rate, or the rate at which your body automatically consumes calories. Although the amount of increase is considerably smaller than even minor physical activity, heat and sweating may increase the number of calories you would naturally be burning while inactive.
Calories and Weight Loss
According to the Mayo Clinic, weight loss occurs at the speed of 1 lb. per 3,500 calories in deficit. In other words, if you burn more calories from your Basal Metabolic Rate and physical exercise routine than you consume with beverages, your body will lose 1 lb. of weight for every 3,500 deficit calories that you burn. If your current diet and exercise schedule places you at a deficit of 500 calories each day, you will burn fat at a rate of 1 lb. per week.
Dehydration and Dangers
Despite the benefits claimed by their proponents, sweating therapies come with a significant health risk in the form of dehydration. According to Kid's Health, dehydration can lead to a variety of serious conditions such lethargy, dry eyes, fatigue and dizziness. As your body sweats, you also lose a significant amount of electrolytes and minerals, which must be replenished in order for your body to function at peak performance. Talk to your doctor before beginning any therapy that involves prolonged periods of sweating.
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