Why Your Spicy Food Needs Milk - The Dairy Alliance (2024)

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Why Your Spicy Food Needs Milk - The Dairy Alliance (1)

While some of us can get the “volcano” hot option at restaurants without breaking a sweat, for many, eating spicy foods is a painful love as your tastebuds are set on fire. Spicy food is a tempting option at mealtimes, but we can’t always take the heat. Yet we still deliberate how hot we are ready to go for that delicious bite.

And that heat is something we look forward to, even if we don’t choose spicy foods often at mealtimes. Like how we crave salty or sweet foods, fulfilling a spicy food craving makes us happy, even if we turn bright red in the process.

So how can you enjoy spicy foods without the heat becoming too much?

Spicy Food Needs Milk

Why Your Spicy Food Needs Milk - The Dairy Alliance (2)

It’s actually a simple hack. Enjoy every bite by pairing your spicy dish with a refreshing glass of milk. Milk helps your mouth handle an oily chemical compound in chili peppers called capsaicin that causes the well-known burning sensation from consuming spicy foods. This relief is thanks to casein, a protein found in cow’s milk.

A pitcher of ice water won’t bring long-term relief, nor will alternative, plant-based beverages. The coolness of the water may bring a moment of peace, but it doesn’t include the casein to combat the heat of the spices. While water and other beverages spread the oily compound and its heat when drunk, milk’s fat will bring relief to the area while washing away the burning feeling.

And yes, you can also top your spicy dish with other dairy foods like yogurt or sour cream for quick relief. Yum!Without a doubt, spicy foods need milk.

Now you can enjoy more of the spicy foods you love. Pair your spicy foods with a tall glass of real milk to help combat the heat. Next time the spicy food craving hits, grab the dairy as you prepare for seconds.

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Why Your Spicy Food Needs Milk - The Dairy Alliance (2024)

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Why Your Spicy Food Needs Milk - The Dairy Alliance? ›

Enjoy every bite by pairing your dish with a refreshing glass of milk. Milk helps your mouth handle an oily chemical compound in chili peppers called capsaicin that causes the well-known burning sensation. This means that a pitcher of water won't bring long-term relief.

Why does milk help with spicy foods? ›

The protein forms globs around the capsaicin. It's like how soap forms globs around dirt and grease when you wash your hands. Then, the protein and fats in milk work together to wash away the capsaicin. Once all the capsaicin has left your receptors, the “spicy” signal to your brain stops.

Does lactose free milk still help with spicy food? ›

Dr. Rood says this indicates that fat content isn't a factor in the fight against spice. That means that post-pepper, any kind of animal milk should do the trick. But don't bother with milk substitutes (almond milk, oat milk, etc.), which don't contain casein.

Why does dairy cool down spice? ›

DO reach for some dairy. Many milk-based products contain a protein called casein, which can help break down those capsaicin tricksters. Think of casein as a detergent — attracting, surrounding and helping wash away the oil-based capsaicin molecules floating around your mouth, similar to how soap washes away grease.

Do non dairy milks help with spice? ›

Oat Milk: A Mild and Nutty Alternative

Oat milk is another great option for those seeking relief from spicy food. It has a mild and slightly sweet taste, along with a nutty flavor that can complement spicy dishes. Oat milk also contains some fat, which can help remove the capsaicin from your mouth.

Does milk reduce spiciness in stomach? ›

Too much spicy food could also lead to erosion of the stomach lining, and peptic ulcer disease. Drink milk with spicy meals. Casein, the protein found in milk, is able to bind with capsaicin and clear it fast from your system, hence reducing the burning sensation.

How to deal with spicy food without milk? ›

Other Ways to Relieve Spiciness

Another effective remedy is to eat bread, which can help to neutralize the capsaicin molecules due to its starchy nature. Similarly, peanut butter or honey can also provide relief as they contain oils that help to dissolve and wash away the capsaicin molecules.

What neutralizes extremely spicy food? ›

Use Citrus

The next time your dish tastes too spicy, try adding lemon, lime or orange juice, or any style of vinegar that suits the dish and your taste preferences. Remember, a little goes a long way, so taste as you go (it's always easier to add more than to backtrack after adding too much).

How to flush dairy out of your system fast? ›

Q: How do you flush dairy out of your system quickly? A: To flush dairy out of your system quickly, eliminate all dairy products from your diet and load up on vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, and seeds. These are high in fiber and acids that help break down and push out all milk proteins from your system.

What can I drink instead of milk for spicy food? ›

If you don't like dairy or are lactose intolerant, you can try drinking something acidic like lemonade or lime juice. The acid can help to neutralize the capsaicin and reduce the burning sensation. Another option is to drink something sweet, as the sweetness can counteract the heat.

What makes spicy food worse? ›

Water will not counterbalance the effect of the spicy food but actually spread the molecules in your mouth and make it more painful. Capsaicin is soluble which simply means it will dissolve in other oils like those found in milk products and fatty foods.

What happens if you eat spicy food every day? ›

Therefore, you should eat spicy 2-3 times / week and eat with intermittent frequency. Eating too much spicy causes heat in the body Using a lot of chili with a regular frequency along with a high degree of spicy can cause mouth ulcers or boils, burning in the anus as well as other organs..

How do you settle your stomach after eating spicy food? ›

Ice cream, milk, cottage cheese, and bread or another starchy food might help settle your stomach after eating spicy food. 4 A small amount of peppermint oil may help reduce inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract. 7 Be careful about eating any dairy items if you are lactose-intolerant.

Does peanut butter help with spicy food? ›

What's the Best Spice Neutralizer? As a hydrophobic, fat-soluble compound, capsaicin makes food spicy and dissolves in fat and oil, not water. That's why milk is a well-known option for counteracting spice, but peanut butter is another staple that can be just as effective.

Does milk actually help with spices? ›

Enjoy every bite by pairing your spicy dish with a refreshing glass of milk. Milk helps your mouth handle an oily chemical compound in chili peppers called capsaicin that causes the well-known burning sensation from consuming spicy foods. This relief is thanks to casein, a protein found in cow's milk.

Does honey help with spicy food? ›

Sugar, whether in a refined form or a natural form, like honey, can help neutralize spiciness. After you've eaten something spicy, sprinkle enough sugar or drizzle enough honey to cover your tongue so that the capsaicin can be absorbed. This will also put a nice, sweet taste in your mouth.

Why does milk help with acid reflux? ›

The fat in milk can aggravate acid reflux. But nonfat milk can act as a temporary buffer between the stomach lining and acidic stomach contents and provide immediate relief of heartburn symptoms."

What drink helps with spicy food? ›

This means that drinking or eating something acidic can give you some temporary relief from the burning sensations. Things such as lemonade or orange juice are great options. You can also try a tomato-based item. And if you're a milk lover, you'll be happy to know that milk is also acidic!

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