Spicy foods—whether chili peppers or curry—feel like they’re burning our mouths and insides. This is because spicy foods contain a substance called capsaicin, which affects pain receptors on the tongue. Interestingly, drinking water after eating such spicy foods is pointless—while water may temporarily wash away a small amount or provide a cooling effect, its main effect is to spread the capsaicin, which makes things worse.
Why? Experts from the American Chemical Society tried to answer this question.
Capsaicin is a colorless and odorless substance that affects the TRPV1 receptors, which are responsible for pain sensations. These receptors are usually activated if a person drinks boiling water or eats something acidic, which can be harmful to their health. Under the influence of capsaicin, the receptors send a signal to the brain that a person seems to be eating something they shouldn't. Their body, guided by the brain, immediately reacts: their eyes begin to water, their nose is blocked, they feel a burning sensation and they want to drink. The purpose of all these reactions is to expel the unwanted substance from the body and neutralize its effects.
If a person drinks water after eating something spicy, the water will only spread the capsaicin in their mouth and increase the burning sensation, since capsaicin does not dissolve in water. Instead of water, experts recommend drinking milk, in which the capsaicin molecules can dissolve, relieving the person's condition and relieving the burning sensation. In addition, dairy products contain a substance called casein, which attracts capsaicin molecules to itself.
So, if you get burned by some overly spicy food, it's better to drink it with milk or, alternatively, eat ice cream, which will also help cleanse the receptors of capsaicin.
