Swedish researchers compared the eating and drinking habits of 336 people—171 with excessive sweating and 165 without it. They found that people who sweat excessively tend to drink more caffeine, especially energy drinks, and report that spicy and fatty foods make them sweat more. The study also showed these individuals struggle to replace the water and minerals they lose through sweat. While these findings are interesting, the researchers couldn’t prove that caffeine causes excessive sweating, only that the two seem connected.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether people with excessive sweating eat and drink differently than people without this condition
  • Who participated: 336 people in Sweden: 171 with severe excessive sweating (mostly women, average age in 20s) and 165 without excessive sweating (comparison group). About two-thirds were women overall.
  • Key finding: People with excessive sweating consumed significantly more caffeine (about 24% more) and were much more likely to drink energy drinks weekly (57% versus 40%). They also reported that spicy foods, fatty foods, and fast food triggered more sweating.
  • What it means for you: If you experience excessive sweating, you might consider tracking whether caffeine and energy drinks make it worse. However, this study only shows a connection—it doesn’t prove caffeine causes the sweating. Talk to your doctor before making major dietary changes.

The Research Details

This was a case-control study, which is like comparing two groups of people to find differences. Researchers recruited 171 people with primary hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating in hands and underarms) and 165 people without this condition from two hospitals in northern Sweden. Both groups completed a detailed questionnaire about what they ate and drank, including how often they consumed specific foods and beverages and in what amounts.

The researchers then compared the eating and drinking patterns between the two groups to see if certain foods or drinks were more common in people with excessive sweating. They looked at caffeine intake, energy drink consumption, spicy foods, fatty foods, fast food, sweets, and water intake patterns.

This approach is useful because it lets researchers identify patterns and connections between diet and excessive sweating. By comparing people who have the condition with those who don’t, scientists can spot differences that might be important. However, this type of study can’t prove that one thing causes another—only that they seem related.

The study used a validated questionnaire, meaning it was a tested tool designed to accurately measure eating and drinking habits. The sample size of 336 people is reasonably large for this type of research. However, the study relied on people remembering and reporting their own food and drink consumption, which can sometimes be inaccurate. The groups were somewhat different in age and gender, which the researchers noted but couldn’t fully control for.

What the Results Show

People with excessive sweating consumed significantly more caffeine overall. The median caffeine score was 186.6 for those with excessive sweating compared to 151.0 for those without (this difference was statistically significant, meaning it’s unlikely to be due to chance). More than half (57%) of people with excessive sweating drank energy drinks at least weekly, compared to only 40% of people without excessive sweating.

When asked what foods triggered their sweating, people with excessive sweating frequently reported spicy foods, fatty foods, fast food, and sweets as triggers. Women with excessive sweating were particularly likely to report difficulty replacing the water they lost through sweat, and both men and women with the condition most commonly reported increased thirst as a symptom.

The study found clear differences in beverage consumption patterns between the two groups. People with excessive sweating showed distinct preferences for caffeinated and energy drinks, suggesting a potential connection between these beverages and their condition.

The study noted that women with excessive sweating were more aware of and bothered by fluid loss than men. This could mean women experience more noticeable symptoms or are more likely to notice and report them. The research also confirmed that people with excessive sweating experience increased thirst, which makes sense since they’re losing more fluids through perspiration.

Previous research has shown that caffeine can increase sweating in some people, but there’s been limited data on the actual eating and drinking habits of people with excessive sweating. This study adds to that knowledge by showing real-world patterns. The findings align with what we know about caffeine’s effects on the body, though this study couldn’t prove caffeine causes the excessive sweating.

The biggest limitation is that this study only shows associations—connections between two things—not causation. Just because people with excessive sweating drink more caffeine doesn’t mean the caffeine causes the sweating. People may drink more caffeine to cope with their symptoms, or both could be caused by something else entirely. Additionally, the study relied on people’s memories of what they ate and drank, which can be inaccurate. The two groups differed in age and gender, which could have influenced the results. Finally, this was a Swedish population, so the findings might not apply equally to other countries or ethnic groups.

The Bottom Line

If you have excessive sweating, consider tracking your caffeine intake and energy drink consumption to see if there’s a pattern with your symptoms (moderate confidence). You might experiment with reducing caffeine for a few weeks to see if it helps (low to moderate confidence, as individual responses vary). Report any dietary triggers you notice to your doctor. However, don’t make major dietary changes without consulting a healthcare provider, as excessive sweating can have various causes that need proper evaluation.

This research is most relevant to people experiencing excessive sweating, especially in their hands and underarms. It may also interest people with family histories of excessive sweating. Healthcare providers treating excessive sweating may find this useful for patient education. This study is less relevant to people without excessive sweating symptoms.

If caffeine is contributing to your excessive sweating, you might notice some improvement within 1-2 weeks of reducing intake, though individual responses vary. It typically takes 3-4 weeks to fully assess whether dietary changes are helping. Keep in mind that excessive sweating has multiple causes, so dietary changes alone may not solve the problem.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track daily caffeine intake (in milligrams or number of energy drinks) alongside sweating severity (rate 1-10) for 2-4 weeks to identify personal patterns
  • Set a daily caffeine limit and log each caffeinated beverage consumed, noting any changes in sweating intensity within 2-3 hours
  • Create a weekly summary comparing total caffeine intake to average sweating severity; adjust intake based on patterns observed over 4-week periods

This research shows associations between diet and excessive sweating but cannot prove cause-and-effect relationships. Excessive sweating can result from various medical conditions and should be evaluated by a healthcare provider. Do not use this information to replace professional medical advice. Before making significant dietary changes, especially if you’re taking medications or have underlying health conditions, consult with your doctor or a registered dietitian. This study was conducted in Sweden and may not apply equally to all populations.