In normal circumstances, sweating is a natural way that the body controls its temperatures[i]. During hot conditions, the body sweats, releasing moisture, which evaporates to cool the body. However, you should be worried if you sweat too much. Also called hyperhidrosis, excessive sweating is a condition with several causes. While it is possible to avoid some of the causes of excessive sweating, some are unavoidable. That said, if you experience this, the guide below outlines the possible reasons for excessive sweating and natural foods that can help you reduce sweating.
Reasons for Excessive Sweating
Excessive sweating can be either primary or secondary. Primary hyperhidrosis occurs when there is no underlying medical condition for excessive sweating. In this situation, the nerves trigger sweat glands in the body, making them overactive. On the other hand, secondary hyperhidrosis occurs due to underlying medical conditions[ii].
Common medical conditions that cause hyperhidrosis include;
Fever with undetermined cause
– Malaria
– Obesity
– Stress
– Diabetic hypoglycemia
– Side effects of some medications
– Hyperthyroidism
Foods that Reduce Sweating
Some of the effective foods against hyperhidrosis include;
1) Water
Without a doubt, drinking plenty of water is the best way to curb excessive sweating. Ensuring that your body is properly hydrated means that it won’t struggle much to regulate temperatures. Less temperature regulation by the body translates to less sweating.
2) Watery Fruits and Vegetables
Most people struggle to take the recommended 8 cups of water daily. Well, if you are in this fold as well, you can find alternative sources of water to compensate for the deficiency. Incorporating fruits and vegetables with high water content in your diet can help reduce sweating. That said, the following fruits and vegetables should frequent your diet.
– Spinach
– Cauliflower
– Eggplant
– Peppers
– Broccoli
Watermelon and grapes also provide significant water and fiber content to keep the body hydrated, enhance digestion, and promote other metabolic functions of the body.
3) Calcium-Rich Foods
Calcium is among the many nutrients that regulate body temperatures and suppress sweating[iii]. However, most people struggle to get a sufficient amount of calcium in their diets. Fortunately, a plethora of calcium laden foods you can include in your diet. Some calcium-rich foods include milk, cereal, cheese, almonds, low-fat yogurt, kale, baked beans, and collard greens.
4) Olive Oil
You will experience excessive sweating if your body struggles to digest some foods. Olive oil is a known digestion and metabolism warrior. As such, including it in your diet provides assurance that the digestive system will work effortlessly. And, as mentioned before, the lesser the digestive functioning, the lesser the sweating. In this case, substitute your conventional vegetable oil with healthy olive oil.
5) Green Tea
You should include green tea in your diet due to its widely known calming effects. It keeps the nervous system calm and sweats at bay. If you often experience excessive sweating during pressurized situations, sip some green tea before such nerve-wracking situations.
6) B Vitamins
Like other vitamins, B vitamins help in ensuring that the body is well maintained. It helps the body complete essential metabolic functions, nerve communication, and any other activity that contributes to normal body functioning. Deficiency in B vitamins will make the body work harder, causing more sweating.
7) Whey Proteins
Whey proteins are great sources of tryptophan and L-glutamine, which come in handy in calming the nervous system. Through this, they naturally fight off swelling nerves that cause excessive sweating. Whey proteins also regulate the digestive system, additionally aiding in sweat regulation[iv].
8) Bananas
Bananas are full of potassium, which packs a lot of benefits to the body’s regulation mechanism. Potassium is an essential electrolyte in the body that helps in keeping the body hydrated. Bananas also contain vitamin B6, magnesium, and other key nutrients that promote good digestion, calmness, and overall happiness.
9) Almonds
Almonds are a rich source of magnesium, which improves digestion and boosts the body’s immune system. Besides almonds, other foods with high magnesium content include spinach, soybeans, and pumpkins.
The Bottom Line
Excessive sweating or hyperhidrosis can occur naturally or due to some underlying causes. For secondary hyperhidrosis, which is caused by underlying medical conditions, prioritize treatment of the condition to solve excessive sweating. Additionally, you should as well consider trying these simple diet changes to control excessive sweating.
[i] “Sweating Benefits: Beyond Body Temperature Regulation”. 2020. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/sweating-benefits.
[ii] “Excessive Sweating Causes”. 2020. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/symptoms/excessive-sweating/basics/causes/sym-20050780.
[iii] diet, Calcium. 2020. “Calcium In Diet: Medlineplus Medical Encyclopedia”. Medlineplus.Gov. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/002412.htm.
[iv] “Whey Protein 101: The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide”. 2020. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/whey-protein-101
