Foods to Avoid If You Want to Stop Excessive Sweating

Excessive sweating, technically called hyperhidrosis, can be aggravating and embarrassing. It most commonly affects your hands, feet, underarms and scalp, causing hyperhidrosis sufferers to shy away from shaking hands, and to feel uncomfortable while wearing shoes. Avoiding certain foods can help relieve excessive sweating.

IHS Recommendations

According to the International Hyperhydrosis Society (IHS), several foods can trigger excessive sweating. These include chocolate, sour foods, sweet foods and citric acid.

Beverages to Avoid

The IHS advises avoiding certain beverages, specifically any alcoholic drinks and caffeinated beverages like coffee.

Chinese Medicine

In the view of Chinese medicine, one cause of excessive sweating is extra dampness in the body, which greasy and spicy foods can cause.

Food Intolerance

According to chiropractor and acupuncturist Ben Kim, eating foods to which you have an intolerance can cause excessive sweating. Common food intolerances include dairy products, eggs, nuts, fish and shellfish, gluten, wheat, chocolate and yeast.

Food Additives

Certain food additives, such as monosodium glutamate, also can cause excess sweating, according to the Mayo Clinic.

References

• Stop Excess Sweating With Chinese Medicine
• Common Food Intolerances
• Mayo Clinic: MSG and Sweating

Resources

• The International Hyperhydrosis Society
• A View From Dr. Ben Kim