Ever wonder why some people barely glisten while others look like they ran through a sprinkler after one workout? In this episode, no. 85, Ellen breaks down the science of sweat — what it is, why it happens, and why some bodies just produce more than others.

You’ll learn how eccrine glands (your body’s natural cooling system) differ from apocrine glands (the ones behind body odor), what causes hyperhidrosis — excessive sweating — and why sweating more doesn’t mean you’re out of shape.

Whether you’re an instructor, athlete, or just someone who’s tired of wiping your forehead every five seconds, this episode will help you understand your body’s brilliance a little better.

• Humans have 2–4 million sweat glands, mostly eccrine glands that help regulate temperature.

• Eccrine sweat is mostly water and salt — clean, cooling, and odorless.

• Apocrine glands, concentrated in the armpits and groin, produce thicker sweat that bacteria break down, creating body odor.

• Hyperhidrosis is a real medical condition causing excessive sweating, often due to overactive nerves or genetics.

• There are effective treatments — from prescription antiperspirants and medications

• Eccrine glands: 2–4 million across the body; most dense on palms, soles, and forehead.

• Apocrine glands: located in the armpits and groin; activated by stress and hormones.

• Up to 10x variation in active sweat gland activity between individuals.

• Around 2–3% of the population has hyperhidrosis.