4 Instant Ways to Cool Your Mouth after Eating Spicy Food
Immediate steps to take
If you eat something very spicy and your mouth seems to be on fire, here is what you can do:
1. Dairy – This is the magic balm. A sip of cold milk or a spoon of yogurt will soothe your mouth and take away some of the burning sensation. A protein called casein present in dairy helps to break up the capsaicin and offer some relief from its effects.
2. Sugar or honey – Though you may think that the sweetness is what counters the spiciness, the truth lies elsewhere. If you’ve had a spoonful of that incredibly spicy gravy, it may do you good to head to the pantry and put half a teaspoon of sugar or honey on your tongue. If you have sugar cubes handy, you may suck on one for similar relief. The oil-based capsaicin gets absorbed by the sugar or honey and thus helps you feel better.
3. Starch – Reach for that fluffy bread or rice. Starch provides a natural barrier between capsaicin and your mouth, absorbing some of it in the process. Potatoes can also help (ideally boiled and devoid of any masalas).
4. Tomatoes and lemons – As surprising as this sounds, it has its base in pure science. The acidity of the spice can get neutralized with these alkaline foods. Pick up that salad plate and munch on a few tomato pieces for immediate relief. Oranges, pineapple and lemon juicehave similar properties.
If you eat something very spicy and your mouth seems to be on fire, here is what you can do:
1. Dairy – This is the magic balm. A sip of cold milk or a spoon of yogurt will soothe your mouth and take away some of the burning sensation. A protein called casein present in dairy helps to break up the capsaicin and offer some relief from its effects.
2. Sugar or honey – Though you may think that the sweetness is what counters the spiciness, the truth lies elsewhere. If you’ve had a spoonful of that incredibly spicy gravy, it may do you good to head to the pantry and put half a teaspoon of sugar or honey on your tongue. If you have sugar cubes handy, you may suck on one for similar relief. The oil-based capsaicin gets absorbed by the sugar or honey and thus helps you feel better.
3. Starch – Reach for that fluffy bread or rice. Starch provides a natural barrier between capsaicin and your mouth, absorbing some of it in the process. Potatoes can also help (ideally boiled and devoid of any masalas).
4. Tomatoes and lemons – As surprising as this sounds, it has its base in pure science. The acidity of the spice can get neutralized with these alkaline foods. Pick up that salad plate and munch on a few tomato pieces for immediate relief. Oranges, pineapple and lemon juicehave similar properties.
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