Three tried and tested ways to avoid sweat patches

Sweating is natural; it’s how the body regulates its temperature. But let’s face it, the dampness under your armpits or in the crooks of your body is not a pleasant feeling, neither is the sight of the patches they leave on your clothes. Since the body has to do what it needs to do, there are things you can do to control how much you sweat.

Dress to kill (the sweat)

Just as you wear clothes to keep you warm in cold weather, you need to be deliberate in what you wear when it’s hot outside. It is advisable to wear natural fabrics such as cotton, wool and silk as these allow your skin to breathe, according to The Mayo Clinic.

You should also consider wearing loose fitting clothes to allow airflow around your body. This is necessary to keep your body temperature down thereby reducing the forming of unsightly patches in your under arm or back. And you probably know to avoid dark clothes as they tend to absorb heat, making you sweat more.

Go mellow on the spice

Spicy food has its perks, but you might want to cut down on the curry if you’re concerned about how much you sweat. These foods usually contain pepper which have a chemical called capsaicin that causes the nerves in your body to feel warmer.

So, naturally, your body produces sweat to keep it cool. WebMD explains that common ingredients like vinegar, or foods eaten at a high temperature could make you sweat too. Garlic and onions may have the same effect, while giving your sweat a distinct odour.

Burn the keep

This might sound counterproductive, but exercising regularly could help reduce how much sweat your body produces. According to this article in The Sun, running or other forms of exercise help you de-stress due to the boost in the amount of endorphins released into your brain after a workout.

Those endorphins lower your cortisol levels, the hormone responsible for stress, and therefore the unwanted side effects that come with being anxious, like sweat.

Read more:

⋙ Sweat a lot? Here’s why it’s good for you

⋙ Sweaty hands: These common household items will keep your palms fresh and dry

⋙ How to avoid sweaty armpits