Things You Should Never Do When Eating Spicy Food (2024)

Like getting rid of the hiccups, everyone has a tactic they swear by for quelling a burning tongue after eating something super-spicy.But what actually works?We did some digging and found the best advice—and debunked the worst—for those moments when your eyes are watering, your throat is melting, and you're pretty sure your lips have melted off.

1. DON'T drink water.

It will only spread the fierychemical around your mouth and make the burning sensationworse.

DO reach for dairy.

The healthy fats in yogurt, sour cream, andwhole milk willtrap and dissolvecapsaicin, the chemical compound that makes you feel the burn.

2. DON'T chug beer.

Because it's mostly water, beerwill only add insult to injury.

DO sip some hardalcohol.

It seems counterintuitivebut booze can do the trick ofdissolving anycapsaicin in your mouth.(Plus,any buzz you get should help mellow things out.)

3. DON'T look tosoda.

Again, it's water-based and thereforedangerous.

DO chow down on carbs.

Starches like bread and rice totally tame that hotter-than-hot feeling by soaking itallup.

4. DON'T overlook oil.

It can dissolve capsaicin as effectively as the fats in dairy, so a spoonful of olive oil (or even peanut butter!) can do wonders for that mouth on fire.

DO pour some sugar on it.

Granulated sugar and even honey can dilute spice. Just mix a tablespoon of sugar (or honey) into a glass of water and chug away. Or you can always trysquirting enough honey into your mouthto coat your tongue.

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