Can you sweat salt?

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AzaleaNicole38
AzaleaNicole38 Posts: 102 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I know that sweat has salt in it, so let me explain.
I sweat profusely, and once I finish working out and cool down, I have all this white grainy
stuff on my face and chest. I can only imagine it's salt.

If it is salt, is that normal? I'm worried that maybe I have too much salt in my diet or something.
I drink lots of water, my urine tends to be light yellow or clear. Help?
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Replies

  • autumnsnow786
    autumnsnow786 Posts: 279 Member
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    its pretty normal, but most people do have too much salt in their diet.
  • AzaleaNicole38
    AzaleaNicole38 Posts: 102 Member
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    bump
  • girlonabikedc
    girlonabikedc Posts: 111 Member
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    Perfectly normal. Don't sweat it (if you'll excuse the pun).
  • horseryder77
    horseryder77 Posts: 224 Member
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    Yup, very normal. No need to be worried.

    When I ran my half marathon, I was covered in it. Mostly it's a good sign- you want salt in your body.
    Keep taking in those electrolytes if you're nervous.
    But I wouldn't be- it's a good sign. Means you're pushing hard :)
  • AzaleaNicole38
    AzaleaNicole38 Posts: 102 Member
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    I hope so! I was reading some stuff online and it said that it could possibly mean you don't have enough salt in your body. I don't understand the logic behind that, but I don't know.
  • horseryder77
    horseryder77 Posts: 224 Member
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    not having enough "salt" may mean not having enough electrolytes. You could always try to supplement electrolyte powder (if you sweat a lot) or drinking gatorade.
    I know gatorade is high in sugar, but they do have a low sugar option. And I just love them for pre/post workouts.

    I'd try that if you're concerned- see if you notice a difference.
    Because a deficiency in salt as in NaCl, isn't common at all now a days with all of the sodium in our diets.

    I hope I'm making sense haha. Good luck!
  • drmerc
    drmerc Posts: 2,603 Member
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    taste it
  • Snowbunny95
    Snowbunny95 Posts: 47 Member
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    Yeah, when I go for a good bike ride, I always come home to find myself covered in it too. The first rinse in the shower is to get the salt off then I get to enjoy the rest. Every few days I have to rinse off my helmet as the straps are covered in it and have become 'hard' from all the salt.

    Just make sure you are replacing those electrolytes as you lose them!
  • DavPul
    DavPul Posts: 61,406 Member
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    taste it

    And by taste it, he means the urine, not the sweat.

    Listen to him; he's a doctor
  • PikaKnight
    PikaKnight Posts: 34,971 Member
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    taste it

    And by taste it, he means the urine, not the sweat.

    Listen to him; he's a doctor

    Glad for the clarification :laugh:
  • nakiarhall
    nakiarhall Posts: 51 Member
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    Lol
  • AzaleaNicole38
    AzaleaNicole38 Posts: 102 Member
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    not having enough "salt" may mean not having enough electrolytes. You could always try to supplement electrolyte powder (if you sweat a lot) or drinking gatorade.
    I know gatorade is high in sugar, but they do have a low sugar option. And I just love them for pre/post workouts.

    I'd try that if you're concerned- see if you notice a difference.
    Because a deficiency in salt as in NaCl, isn't common at all now a days with all of the sodium in our diets.

    I hope I'm making sense haha. Good luck!

    Yes, that makes perfect sense! Think I'm gunna try the gatorade.
  • AzaleaNicole38
    AzaleaNicole38 Posts: 102 Member
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    Yeah, when I go for a good bike ride, I always come home to find myself covered in it too. The first rinse in the shower is to get the salt off then I get to enjoy the rest. Every few days I have to rinse off my helmet as the straps are covered in it and have become 'hard' from all the salt.

    Just make sure you are replacing those electrolytes as you lose them!
    Glad to know I'm not the only one!
  • taso42
    taso42 Posts: 8,980 Member
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    yep that's salt. i always feel accomplished when that happens.

    don't forget to replenish your sodium after a workout like that.
  • lorenzoinlr
    lorenzoinlr Posts: 338 Member
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    You have the option of tracking your sodium in your user settings. That way if you're logging your food you'll be able to determine if your sodium intake is in the recommended range.
  • Christieson
    Christieson Posts: 36 Member
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    It's the sign of a great workout. Replenish, and keep up the good work!!
  • MireyGal76
    MireyGal76 Posts: 7,334 Member
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    yep that's salt. i always feel accomplished when that happens.

    don't forget to replenish your sodium after a workout like that.

    Mcdonalds french fries are perfect for that...

    :laugh:
  • taunto
    taunto Posts: 6,420 Member
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    When I used to do boxing for 4 hours, we were told to bring either gatorade or at the very least, given salt packets because we would sweat so much that there was fear of us just collapsing. Be proud of your sweat draining out the excess salt :)
  • BigG59
    BigG59 Posts: 396 Member
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    When we are out on our road bikes for more than 2 hours we add a second water bottle which contains an electrolyte, it helps replenish those lost when sweating.

    Having said that I have never noticed any residue on my skin afterwards.
  • bathsheba_c
    bathsheba_c Posts: 1,873 Member
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    That's actually what causes male marathon runners to get bleeding nipples -- the salt from the sweat increases the friction between the shirt and the nipple, and voila! Blood.

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