Sweating while you eat, known as gustatory sweating, is not a universal phenomenon. Instead, there are some foods that cause excessive sweating. Not all of these foods are spicy as you may suspect, and some of them can be very subtle parts of the diet. Understanding how the foods that you eat affect your sweating level can be done by studying foods that commonly cause sweating and keeping a food diary of your own symptoms.
Spicy Foods and Hot Sauces
One of the primary reasons that food causes excessive sweating is because of its relative heat or spiciness. According to the International Hyperhidrosis Society, any food with "hot" spices should be limited in your diet, as these foods can trigger gustatory sweating. Keeping a food diary will help you know which spicy foods are particularly bad for your body's condition.
Alcoholic Beverages
Hyperhidrosis, the formal name for excessive sweating as a medically diagnosed condition, is linked to alcohol consumption. According to Medical News Today, alcohol serves as one of the dietary triggers for intensive sweating. As a result, alcoholics and others who abuse alcohol may develop secondary hyperhidrosis, the version of the affliction linked to an underlying lifestyle choice or medication rather than a genetic cause. To avoid hyperhidrosis due to alcohol consumption, Medical News Today recommends keeping a food diary and monitoring your symptoms so that you can make better choices for your specific sweating issues, a solution which may help occasional binge drinkers but may be of limited value to alcoholics.
Caffeinated Beverages
Along with alcohol, the International Hyperhidrosis Society recommends avoiding caffeinated beverages. Colas, coffees, teas and other caffeinated drinks can trigger an excessive sweating response. Drinking plain water, natural juices or herbal teas will help you stay hydrated as well as helping you fight excessive sweating triggered by your beverage choices.
Foods with Monosodium Glutamate (MSG)
Monosodium glutamate, commonly referred to as MSG, works to enhance food flavors. According to MayoClinic.com, it is associated with Asian foods, but can be added to many different kinds of foods. While most people have no side effects of consuming MSG, for some people the additive triggers a bout of gustatory sweating. MayoClinic.com notes that incidents are usually short-lived, but recommends avoiding MSG if you notice that it causes problems for you.
