Body / Life

Why does body temperature stay fairly constant?

The short answer

The brain adjusts blood flow, sweating, shivering, and other responses to keep core temperature within a narrow range.

How it works

Breaking down food and moving muscles also produce heat. In heat, sweating and skin blood flow release it; in cold, shivering helps produce it.

A familiar example

Body temperature is not exactly constant; it changes slightly with time of day and activity.

Sources