1. Cut Back On Caffeine
Caffeine stimulates your central nervous system, which activates your sweat glands—so the more caffeine you drink, the more you end up perspiring, says Bonnie Taub-Dix, M.A., R.D., C.D.N., a registered dietitian and author of Read It Before You Eat It. “The heat from the drink itself can also make your body feel hot enough to sweat."
You don’t have to break up with coffee—just swap your hot brew for a cold one, Taub-Dix recommends. But if you’re looking for a chemical-free high, here are 7 Ways to Boost Your Energy without Caffeine.
2. Subtract Spicy Foods
Easy on the Buffalo wings. Just like caffeine, spices can activate your brain’s neurotransmitters, causing you to sweat more. Capsaicin, a chemical found in spicy peppers—like the ones in your hot sauce—can make you sweat for two reasons.
First, consuming the chemical can trick your body into thinking it’s feeling some sort of trauma, which sparks an increase in stress-related sweating, says Jessica Krant, M.D, M.P.H, a board-certified dermatologist at the Laser & Skin Surgery Center of New York and an assistant clinical professor of dermatology at SUNY Downstate Medical Center.
“Capsaicin also triggers a separate type of nerve ending that only responds to mild warmth—like a hot bath, not like fire—leading your body to think it’s too hot and to start up the sweating response to cool down,” she says.
3. Change Up Your Wardrobe
If you know you’re going to be spending a lot of time outdoors, opt for a cool and breathable fabric like cotton or linen, says Dr. Krant. Clothes that absorb sweat, such as workout wear with water-wicking fabrics, can also help you stay dry.
If you have sweaty or smelly feet, don’t go barefoot in closed-toe shoes. Your shoes don’t wick away sweat, making their dark, damp atmosphere a perfect place for smelly bacteria and fungus to thrive.
Socks, on the other hand, can absorb the sweat before it starts stinking up your shoes. Try socks made of cotton, which are more effective at sucking up sweat than any other synthetic materials.
4. Consider An Alternative Treatment
If changing your diet and wardrobe won’t cut it, speak to a doctor. There are several prescription meds and other treatments available that can help your sweat problem, as well as alternative therapies like herbs and accupuncture.
Worst-case scenario, you may choose to go with a chemical solution. If so, you should know what you're getting into. While a deodorant will mask any unpleasant smells, antiperspirant actually stops you from sweating. That’s because antiperspirants contain aluminum salts, which plug your sweat glands and reduce the amount of sweat that travels to your skin. If traditional antiperspirants don't work, there are even clinical-grade and prescription-strength antiperspirants available at must drug stores or online.
And if those don't cut it, some people actually choose to inject their underarms with botox—yep, the same stuff that celebs inject into their faces to smooth out wrinkles.
“Botox works by blocking the chemical signal from nerves that tells the tiny muscle of sweat glands to open and release sweat,” says Dr. Krant.
The downside: Aside from the fact that you'd be injecting the botulism toxin into your underarms, it's not a permanent solution—results only last up to 6 months. Plus, the injections aren’t always covered by insurance and can be costly, averaging around $500 an armpit.
So maybe just packing an extra shirt to change into is more reasonable.
This article was originally published on Men's Health.
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