Many people suffer from excessive underarm sweating. The most annoying thing about this condition may be the embarrassment it causes. Stains on your clothing at inappropriate times can cause anyone to feel uncomfortable. It's fine to work up an underarm sweat during a workout -- its another to sweat when watching television or sharing a meal with a friend. There are steps you can take to control the condition, however, and one of the most important things to change is your diet.
About
Excessive sweating is called hyperhidrosis in the medical world. An episode of hyperhidrosis may be caused by feelings such as nervousness, excitement or embarrassment or it may have no apparent trigger. Excessive underarm sweat is caused when the sympathetic nervous system is working harder than it needs to for the task at hand. That system triggers the sweat glands to overwork, according to hyperhidrosis.org.
Avoid Hot and Spicy Foods
Any spicy foods will cause the body's nervous system to work harder than normal, leading to more underarm sweat. Sweating is the body's way of cooling itself down. Stay away from foods containing chili powder, cayenne, hot peppers, onions and anything else that feels spicy in your mouth to avoid excess sweat, according to Scientific American.
About Caffeine and Alcohol
Caffeine and alcohol should also be avoided if you hope to keep your sweating under control. Beverages containing caffeine include coffee, tea, colas and energy drinks. Caffeine and alcohol can both have a stimulating effect on the body and nervous system, making it work harder than usual. This leads to more sweating, according to Stop Sweating Fast.
These Foods Help
Foods served at a low temperature will help to keep the body's temperature from getting too high. Cold soups, salads and fruits are great choices for a diet created to reduce underarm sweat.
When choosing wheat-based products, always go for those that contain whole wheat. Breads, pastas and crackers with whole wheat also contain loads of B vitamins. These aid the body in breaking down food and, thus, make its work load lighter and cause it to use less energy and expend less sweat, according to PR Log.
Contact a Physician
If dietary changes don't improve your hyperhidrosis, you may want to talk to your doctor about other options to control the condition. There are prescription-only antiperspirants available as well as, in extreme cases, surgeries to reduce sweating. These operations work to stop the nerves from sending sweat-production signals, according to the Mayo Clinic.
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