Sweat Tips & Concerns
4 Foods That Make You Sweat
2 Min Read | Date : 03/27/2025
Ever had spicy ramen on a chilly day and ended up sweating buckets? Or sipped on coffee and got clammy hands? And let's not forget the lingering aroma of garlic chicken... It turns out, your plate has more influence on sweating than you might think.
To help you out, we’ve identified 4 of the most sweat-inducing foods and what you can do to reduce food-related sweating.
What foods make your sweat?
Certain sweat-inducing foods can raise your internal temperature, causing your body to sweat in an attempt to cool down. This type of sweating is completely normal and quite common.
Check out this line-up of 4 foods that increase your sweat-meter up a notch. If you’re bothered by sweating during eating, it may be worth testing the effect these foods have on you and leaving them off the menu if they make you perspire.
4 sweat-inducing foods
1. Spicy foods
For those who love spicy foods, here's a bit of news. Capsaicin, a molecule found in spicy peppers (and in lesser amounts in foods like cinnamon and cilantro), trigger sweat glands and elevate your body temperature.
Another molecule that turns up the heat is allyl isothiocyanate, which is found in mustard, horseradish and wasabi.¹
2. Hot foods and drinks
Think warm soup or a cup of tea—comforting, but they might also bring on the beads of sweat.
3. Coffee
Your favorite morning cappuccino or mid-day pick-me-up iced latte may perk up your sweat production, as it can stimulate the sweat glands.
Alcohol can cause excessive sweating at night.
4. Alcohol
If you’ve ever felt overheating after a drink, it’s because alcohol sweat is real. Alcohol causes our body temperature to rise by increasing our blood flow and sugar level, so we sweat more to compensate. The body also views alcohol as a toxin, so it works harder to get rid of it via our liver, but also through urine and sweat.
Food and body odor
Specific foods can contribute to body odor. Onions, garlic, and dairy products also have the potential to affect the scent of your sweat. Overconsumption of alcohol can also make your sweat smell.
How to reduce food-related sweating
So, what can you do about it? To help you take matters in your own hands, we’ve put together our ultimate tips on how to sweat less.
1. Adjust your diet
Gradually reduce the intake of spicy foods, hot drinks, caffeine and alcohol to minimize stimulation of sweat glands.
2. Focus on hydration
Stay well-hydrated throughout the day, especially if you have been drinking alcohol, to support the body's natural cooling processes.
3. Check your wardrobe
Choose breathable, loose-fitting clothing to try and counteract the effects of sweat-inducing foods.
4. Eat earlier in the evening
Avoid consuming large meals close to bedtime to reduce night sweats.
Finding your favorite cotton shirt plagued by sweat stains? Check this guide on removing sweat stains, with effective solutions to help get rid of even the toughest stains.
Better yet, get proactive and fight against future sweat stains and deodorant marks with an anti-mark antiperspirant deodorant from our UltraClear range:
5. Choose the right antiperspirant
Go for one of our antiperspirant deodorants featuring Body Heat Activated® technology, that doesn’t stop working, no matter how much you move. They’re like bodyguards for your pits – always on duty, keeping you protected from sweat and odor for up to 72 hours.
These formulas provide long-lasting protection throughout the day, responding instantly to changes in your body temperature to help you stay feeling fresh as you go about your day.
Understanding how our drinking and eating habits influence how we sweat empowers us to make smarter food choices. It's all about finding that balance. Remember, what works for one might not be the same for another. So, stay hydrated, choose your foods wisely, and watch your confidence soar. You’ve got this!
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