The Truth Behind Why Vegans and Non-Vegans Both Experience Meat Sweats

The term "meat sweats" is often used to describe that uncomfortable feeling of heavy sweating that occurs after consuming a large or fatty meal, usually involving meat. While this phenomenon is commonly observed among non-vegans, it is a bit of a conundrum for vegans who primarily consume plant-based foods. Can vegans get meat sweats from eating fake meat? Let's delve into the science behind it.

Understanding Meat Sweats

What we call meat sweats is a catch-all term for the moistness that can overtake our bodies after consuming a large meal. This feeling is not limited to meats; even a big plate of vegetables or carbohydrate-heavy food can trigger similar sensations. The experience can be attributed to a combination of physiological and psychological factors.

High Protein Intake

Some plant-based meats, while delicious and nutritious, are high in protein. Consuming large quantities of these products can lead to a feeling of fullness or discomfort. Protein is a macronutrient that requires more energy to digest compared to other macronutrients like carbohydrates and fats. This increased digestion process can temporarily raise your body temperature, causing you to sweat.

Seasoning and Additives

Many fake meat products contain spices, flavorings, and additives, which can affect digestion or body temperature. These ingredients can sometimes disrupt the natural digestive process, leading to discomfort or even causing you to sweat more.

Psychological Factors

The experience of eating a large meal, regardless of the source, can trigger physiological responses similar to those experienced after consuming protein-rich foods. This includes the release of hormones and changes in body temperature, which can contribute to the feeling of meat sweats.

The Thermic Effect of Food

Understanding the thermic effect of food is crucial in explaining why we get meat sweats. The thermic effect of food (TEF) refers to the increase in metabolic rate after the ingestion of a meal. When you eat, your body must expend energy to break down the food, which in turn releases heat and slightly increases your core body temperature.

Fats are the easiest to digest, meaning their effect on your internal thermometer is minimal. Proteins, however, are the most difficult to digest, requiring your body to burn three to seven times more calories to process them. This increased energy expenditure can raise your core temperature significantly, leading to sweating as a natural cooling mechanism.

How Fake Meat Contributes

Even though fake meat is plant-based, it can still contain high levels of protein. If a vegan consumes a large quantity of these products, they might experience meat sweats due to the high protein content. The thermic effect of these proteins can lead to a temporary increase in core body temperature, causing sweating.

For example, a typical plate of barbecue ribs or a beef steak contains high levels of protein, making it a perfect sweat storm. Similarly, a protein-heavy processed vegan meal, such as a soy-based meat substitute, can also trigger meat sweats. However, it would have to be an intense fake meat feast to get you to the sweaty, sunken place you enter after a thick porterhouse.

According to GQ, the most widely accepted theory behind the meat sweats involves the thermic effect of food. By ingesting an abnormal abundance of protein, your gut would have to burn a significant amount of energy on digestion. This increased energy expenditure can raise your core temperature, prompting your body to resort to sweating as a cooling mechanism, usually reserved for fevers and vigorous exercise.

While vegans wouldn't experience meat sweats from regular plant-based foods, a large quantity of high-protein fake meat products can indeed trigger the same sensations. Understanding the thermic effect of food is key to unraveling this mystery and ensuring a more comfortable dining experience.