Why does spicy food make you sweat so much?
Have you ever wondered why you experience a sudden wave of sweating after indulging in a delicious plate of [insert favorite spicy food here]?
Why does spicy food make you sweat?
Spicy foods contain a chemical called capsaicin. When consumed, this chemical fools your brain into thinking your body temperature is rising. This false signal goes out to your bodies' cooling system (your sweat glands) and the sweat starts pouring.
Just like a fire suppression sprinkler that goes off accidentally when someone lights a match or cigarette... there's no fire, but those sprinklers turn on anyway. After that spicy chili, you end up soaking your shirt even though the temperature feels just fine.
If you suffer from hyperhidrosis or excessive sweating, you'll want to avoid spicy foods. Unless you want to give your already enthusiastic sweat glands another reason to sprinkle your favorite shirt.
5 Spicy Foods That will Surely Make You Sweat
Here's a list of the biggest spicy food offenders that will surely get your sweat glands going: Avoid these and you might just avoid another embarrassing sweat moment.
- 1. General Tso's Chicke
- 2. Spicy Curries
- 3. Spicy Hot Wings
- 4. Sushi (with Wasabi)
- 5. Hot Peppers and Jalapenos
1. General Tso's Chicken
This deep-fried, sweet and most definitely spicy dish is popular in most Chinese restaurants around the nation. If you like spicy Chinese food, you may be tempted to order a whole plate of General Tso’s chicken – Don’t! You may find yourself in a sweaty mess when the bill rolls around.
2. Spicy Curries
This Southeast Asian cuisine has become widely popular throughout the world. The most common spices found in curries are turmeric, coriander, and cumin – nothing too spicy right? Right.
Some curries are okay, but if you are looking to stay dry during your meal, you should avoid the hot and very hot curries. These hot curries include: Jalfrezi, Dhansak, Ceylon, Madras, Vindaloo, and Phal.
3. Spicy Hot Wings
These little delicious wings are can be found at Super Bowl parties, bars, and a plethora of restaurants. Not only are they delectable, but they can be spicy.
The kick on these wings is because of the spices such as paprika and cayenne pepper, and of course, plenty of hot sauce.
4. Sushi (with Wasabi)
If raw fish tickles your fancy, try to stay away from eating it with wasabi. Wasabi is spicy, but not like a chili pepper.
5. Hot Peppers and Jalapenos
If you are browsing a restaurant menu and any of these words pop up in the description of the dish – don’t even think about ordering it.
Jalapenos can be found on top of nachos, in a fried appetizer, on a hamburger, or baked and stuffed with cheese and meat.
There are also a variety of hot peppers, but some peppers that you should know to avoid are habanero, Cayenne, Serrano, Thai, Tabasco, and Cumari.
I love spicy food and staying away from these foods is darn near impossible.
Is there an alternative to giving up your favorite spicy foods?
Yes, One of the easiest ways to stop embarrassing sweat is with a strong antiperspirant like SweatBlock. Pssst... It's also guaranteed to work, or you get your money back.
We've also put together a collection of tips to stop embarrassing sweat and a comprehensive list of sweating treatments to help you find the best solution.
