ORF – July 2023
Sweat. Portrait of a bodily fluid
Dr. Barbara Franz in an interview about the natural secretion

Sweating is a natural and healthy bodily function. Sweat cools and detoxifies the body and is also part of the skin’s protective acid mantle. However, this bodily fluid is frowned upon by society: its odor and stains on clothing are taboo. Heavy sweating is only accepted during sporting activities or in the sauna, otherwise people turn up their noses at it. Society’s perception of hygiene changed around 1900, when the first deodorants were launched on the market and the cosmetics industry launched massive advertising campaigns to combat body odor and armpit odor in particular. The aim was to create a market for the newly developed products. As we know, with success: today, deodorant is a natural addition to our cosmetics cupboard.
Listen to the whole interview at www.orf.at.