If you suddenly break out in a heavy sweat, drenching your clothes or sheets, it's not likely that someone just cranked up the heat -- it might be a hot flash. Hot flashes are very common symptoms of menopause, according to the Mayo Clinic, but may also be triggered by other changes in hormone levels. Hot flashes are also more likely to strike after eating certain foods or drinking certain beverages that tend to spike your body temperature.
Hot Beverages
According to the Mayo Clinic, any hot beverage can heat up your body temperature and trigger a hot flash. Therefore, hot beverages should be avoided to help you keep your cool. That means swapping your steaming cup of coffee, tea or hot chocolate in favor of a cool water, iced tea or other cool beverage. Try drinking your favorite hot drinks warm instead of hot if you don't enjoy them cold.
Spicy Foods
Spicy foods, such as hot peppers, can also trigger hot flashes, says the National Women's Health Information Center. Spicy foods can cause the blood vessels to dilate and can actually trigger the response of skin receptors -- actually pain fibers -- that react to heat. The nervous system responds by sweating and making you feel hot, says Barry Green in the magazine Scientific American.
Caffeine and Alcohol
Caffeinated drinks and foods that contain caffeine can cause hot flashes. Consuming caffeine can also make your body temperature increase, making you feel hot and sweaty. Alcohol can also trigger hot flashes, so restrict or cut back on your alcohol intake. Caffeine and wine can increase the amount of acids in the blood and can add strain on the liver, according to the website Healthy.net.
Carbs, Sugars and More
Eating carbohydrates and snacking on refined sugars may also be responsible for hot flashes, according to Hormonebalance.org. Too many sugars and carbohydrates can affect the balance of hormones in your body and trigger hot flashes. In addition, consuming dairy products and meat products in excess is thought to contribute to hot flashes, according to the Healthy.net website. High-fiber whole grains and fruits are good replacements if you want to keep hot flashes in check.
