Sweating—it can turn a crisp morning shirt into a damp rag in minutes, especially when the thermometer soars and your hand reaches (reflexively, really) for that beloved cup of coffee. But why does caffeine make you sweat even more, and why does it feel so much worse in summer? Let’s unravel this steamy story, one bead of sweat at a time.
Sweating: Your Body’s Built-In Cooling System
Sweating isn’t just a summer nuisance—it’s an absolutely natural process, as normal as breathing or jumping when you see a spider in the shower. Sweat glands, which are scattered all over your body, spring into action automatically thanks to your nervous system. Their job? To secrete sweat, which is (unsurprisingly) mostly water. Once sweat hits your skin, it evaporates, and that evaporation helps cool you down and regulate your body’s temperature. Mother Nature’s own air conditioning, if you will.
More Than Just Heat: Foods and Drinks That Turn Up the Sweat
If you assume the scorching sun is the only thing turning you into a human waterfall, think again. While heat is the most obvious culprit, there are less obvious—and sometimes less welcome—triggers, too. Certain foods and drinks have an undercover role in this process. Chief among them? Coffee.
For many, a solid cup of coffee is an essential part of the morning routine (or, honestly, survival). But those cherished sips come with a side effect you may not love: increased sweating. Let’s look at the reasons behind this caffeinated dilemma:
- Temperature matters: Hot drinks raise your internal temperature and, you guessed it, your body tries to cool down by sweating.
- Caffeine’s energizing effect: It doesn’t just wake up your brain; caffeine also revs up your central nervous system and ramps up certain stress-related hormones.
- Adrenaline rush: With the extra stimulation, your body releases hormones such as adrenaline, which in turn bumps up your heart rate.
- Sweat gland activation: The result of all this excitement? Your sweat glands kick in to help lower your body temperature—leading to the all-too-familiar dampness.
So, if you’re wondering why coffee seems to double your sweat in July, there’s your answer: both the drink’s heat and the caffeine’s zippy effects are working overtime.
Smart Sipping (and Scent-Saving) Solutions for Summer
Should you give up coffee entirely? No need for caffeine-induced panic. Coffee isn’t inherently bad. The trick is to consume it in moderation and listen to your body—some folks handle their coffee better than others, while some end up reaching for the nearest paper towel. In particular, during summer, you might want to swap out your piping hot caffeinated beverage for an iced, decaffeinated version. It still feels like a treat, but it’s less likely to leave you feeling like you’ve run a marathon before 9 a.m.
But what about the smell that sometimes comes with sweating? Good news: there are natural solutions. For instance, you can give your underarms the spa treatment by applying a charcoal or clay poultice. It might sound a bit odd—yes, a face mask for your armpits!—but this kind of mask is said to help with deep purification. Charcoal and clay act like magnets, attracting bacteria and toxins along with excess oil and grime. Just let the natural mask sit for ten minutes and rinse thoroughly. Fresh as a daisy (well, almost)!
If you want to keep sweat from giving your favorite shirt an impromptu polka-dot pattern, you have another handy option: insert or sew absorbent patches inside your clothes. These underarm protectors sit discreetly in your shirt and soak up moisture, saving you from that unmistakable sticky feeling.
Summer, Coffee, and Your Comfort: The Last Word
Coffee isn’t your enemy, but in the heat of summer, its effects on sweating can’t be ignored. A hot cup ramps up your body temperature and, thanks to caffeine, sends your nervous system and sweat glands into overdrive. If you want to keep things cool, try decaf and iced varieties, and don’t be shy about leaning into natural tricks for sweat and odor control. At the end of the day, every body is different—so pay attention to what yours is telling you, and let comfort be your guide. Your morning routine can still be a pleasure, just a little less steamy.
Iveta is an aspiring journalist with a passion for storytelling and a deep love for coffee. Always curious and creative, she dreams of sharing stories that inspire, inform, and connect people around the world
