Burning sensation in your mouth from spiciness? Here's a collection of 5 quick ways to relieve spiciness using common foods nearby, including milk and honey, which effectively break down capsaicin according to nutritional science. What to eat to relieve spiciness? Thairath Online provides clear answers for you.
Before finding out what to eat to relieve spiciness, it is important to understand the mechanism behind the sensation of heat. Spiciness originates from a chemical compound called " capsaicin " which binds to pain and temperature receptors in the mouth, causing a burning sensation.
This capsaicin responsible for the spicy heat has the property " of being soluble in fats and alcohol but not in water. " Therefore, drinking cold water or plain water just spreads the chili oil around the mouth, making the burning feel worse.
If you are facing a burning mouth from eating spicy food, here are 5 simple, proven remedies using common foods that truly help.
Drinking milk is the best and fastest way to relieve spiciness. Milk contains a protein called "casein" that acts like a cleanser by breaking the bond between capsaicin and the sensory receptors in the mouth. Choosing cold fresh cow's milk, yogurt, or milk ice cream quickly cools the burning sensation.
Sweetness helps absorb the chili oil's fat. If milk is unavailable, try holding a teaspoon of honey or sugar in your mouth briefly before swallowing. The sweetness interferes with pain signals to the brain, reducing the feeling of heat. This is another easy-to-find remedy in most households.
Capsaicin in chili is alkaline. Consuming acidic foods like lemon juice, orange juice, or tomatoes reacts to neutralize the chili's alkalinity, soothing the burning sensation.
If you're at a restaurant and unsure what to eat to relieve spiciness, plain rice or bread is very helpful. The carbohydrates or starch act like a sponge, absorbing leftover capsaicin in the mouth. Although they don't chemically break down the compound like milk proteins, they protect your cheeks from direct chili contact.
As capsaicin dissolves well in fats, eating foods high in good fats like peanuts, peanut butter, or even a little olive oil effectively washes away the spicy compounds from the mouth's receptors.
Food type | Key component / mechanism to relieve spiciness | Speed of relief |
Plain milk / yogurt | Casein protein breaks chili bonds | Very fast |
Peanuts / peanut butter | Good fats dissolve capsaicin | Fast |
Honey / sugar | Absorbs fat and interferes with nerve signals | Moderate |
Lemon juice | Acid neutralizes alkalinity | Moderate |
Steamed rice / bread | Starch physically absorbs capsaicin | Slow to moderate |
Eating spicy food is a distinctive Thai trait, but when burning occurs, knowing what to eat to relieve spiciness will help make your meal smoother. Always avoid drinking plain water or soft drinks all at once; instead, switch to milk, honey, or foods rich in fats and carbohydrates, which are the correct remedies based on nutrition and safe for the body.