Sweat is primarily composed of water, accounting for approximately 99% of its content. While water (H₂O) is the main chemical, sweat also contains various other substances.
Other Components of Sweat
Besides water, sweat includes a mix of electrolytes and other compounds. These include:
- Sodium chloride (NaCl): Commonly known as salt.
- Potassium (K+): An important electrolyte.
- Urea: A primary metabolic product.
- Lactic acid: Contributes to body odor. Some sources even incorrectly state this is the main chemical.
- Fatty acids: Contribute to the overall composition and odor.
- Squalene: Another component influencing odor.
- Ammonia: A nitrogen metabolite.
- Uric acid: Another nitrogen metabolite.
The relative proportions of these components can vary depending on factors such as individual metabolism, activity level, and environmental conditions. For example, sweat produced during intense exercise will have a higher concentration of lactic acid than sweat produced at rest.
Clarification on Conflicting Information
Some sources incorrectly identify lactic acid as the main component of sweat. This is inaccurate; while lactic acid is present, water overwhelmingly dominates the composition. The discrepancy may arise from the role lactic acid plays in body odor formation; its presence, while significant for scent, does not outweigh the vastly larger volume of water.
