Why You Shouldn't Drink Water After Spicy Food (And What Does Help)

You probably know the feeling: you take a bite of something with sambal or hot sauce, and suddenly your mouth is on fire. Instinctively, you reach for a glass of water... but you quickly realize it doesn't make things any better. In fact, it feels like your mouth is on fire even more. How is that possible? And what can actually help with the heat of spicy food?

Why water doesn't help with spicy food

The culprit is capsaicin – the substance that gives peppers their heat. Capsaicin binds to receptors in your mouth and causes that burning sensation.

**Important to know: capsaicin is fat soluble, not water soluble.

This means that water doesn't wash away the substance, but instead spreads it throughout your mouth. The result: it only makes the burn worse. So no matter how thirsty you are, water isn't the answer when your mouth is on fire from chili peppers.

What does help then?

Fortunately, there are better ways to beat the heat:

• Milk or yogurt – dairy contains casein, a protein that breaks down and dissolves capsaicin.
• Fatty foods – think oil, cream, coconut milk, or even a spoonful of peanut butter. Fat binds the capsaicin and eliminates the burning sensation.
• Sugar or honey – a sweet counterpoint that softens the edge.
• Bread or rice – this is absorbent and can take away some of the heat.

How real chiliheads deal with it

True chili lovers often don't reach for milk or bread. They embrace the heat as part of the experience. For them, the burning sensation of a Ghost Pepper Chili Sauce or a Carolina Reaper snack isn't a punishment, but a reward: the ultimate proof that you dare to push your boundaries.

That makes spicy food not only exciting, but also a little addictive.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does beer or soda help?
Not really. Soft drinks do contain sugar, which can soften things a bit, but the carbonation often actually disperses the heat more effectively. Beer has too little fat and therefore hardly works.

Why does milk work better than water?
Because milk contains fat and casein, substances that can dissolve capsaicin, water doesn't.

Can you get used to spicy food?
Yes! By eating spicy food more often, your receptors in your mouth gradually become accustomed and you build up a tolerance. But a sauce with Ghost Pepper or Carolina Reaper remains a challenge, even for experienced cooks.

So: water and spicy food don't mix. If you really want to tame the heat, choose milk, yogurt, or something fatty. But if you want the pure experience, let it burn.

Dare you? Try this seriously hot Mr. Scoville chili sauce.