How Can You Cool Your Mouth Down After Eating Spicy Food?

If you’re an avid foodie, you know that spicy food can be both a blessing and a curse. While it can add an extra dimension of flavor to your dishes, it can also leave you gasping for air. When you’re mid-meal and feel like your mouth is on fire, you need to know how to cool down fast. Fear not, for we’ve got some tips and tricks to help you beat the heat!

Option 1: Yogurt To The Rescue:

This thick, creamy dairy product is a staple in many spicy cuisine cultures for a reason. Full of probiotics, yogurt is the perfect antidote to spicy food. The good bacteria in the yogurt can counteract the capsaicin (the hot compound in peppers) in your mouth, cooling you down in the process. Simply have a spoonful of yogurt, or better yet, serve it as a side dish with your fiery meal.

Option 2: Milk, Not Water:

When you think of something refreshing to drink, milk may not be the first thing that comes to mind, but it’s the perfect antidote to spicy food. Milk contains casein, a protein that can help soothe and neutralize the capsaicin in your mouth. Sipping on a glass of milk can provide instant relief and is far more effective than water, which can actually make the sensation worse.

Option 3: Citrus Is Key:

You may not think of citrus fruits as cooling, but they can be incredibly effective when it comes to taming the heat. The citric acid found in lemons and limes can help break down capsaicin molecules and neutralize them. You can either squeeze a wedge of lemon or lime into your mouth directly or make a quick citrus slaw with shredded cabbage and freshly squeezed juice.

Option 4: Bread And Starch:

If you find yourself in extreme discomfort and need an immediate solution, starchy foods such as rice, bread, or potatoes can do the trick. Starch is known to absorb and neutralize the capsaicin in your mouth, providing relief from the heat. Many people use naan bread, potatoes, or jasmine rice to cool their mouths down after a spicy dish.

Option 5: Sugar As A Renewable Resource:

If you have a sweet tooth, you’re in luck! Sugar can also help cool down your mouth after eating spicy food. The pleasure of eating something sweet can produce endorphins, which can help counteract the discomfort from the spice. You can have a spoonful of sugar, a bite of chocolate, or an ice cream cone to help ease the heat in your mouth.

The Bottom Line:

Eating delicious, spicy food is meant to be a pleasurable experience, not cause you pain. There are several ways to cool your mouth down after eating spicy food – from yogurt to citrus fruits, from bread to sugar, all can be used to get relief from the burn.

Now that you know these tricks, you can enjoy hot, spicy food without worry!