Lemon isn’t a good choice to deal with spicy food because the capsaicin which gives the food its spiciness isn’t soluble in water. The lemon is also acidic which is generally not looked at as helping deal with spicy food on its own either.
You’re better off consuming milk-based products to quench the fire from spicy foods such as milk or plain yogurt. Adding starch to your food like potatoes, rice, bread or pasta can also help to counteract spicy foods as can sugar.
Let’s get right into it, and discuss a list of the best liquids (and foods) to counteract spicy foods!
Liquids Ranked From Best To Worst To Counteract Spicy Foods
Here’s a table ranking the best liquids to consume for countering the heat of spicy foods, starting with the most effective:
| Ranking | Liquid | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dairy (e.g., Milk, Yogurt) | Dairy products contain casein, a protein that helps neutralize capsaicin, providing significant relief from spiciness. |
| 2 | Cold Water | Cold water can provide immediate relief by rinsing away some of the capsaicin, though it may not be as effective as dairy. |
| 3 | Lemon Water | Lemon’s acidity can help counteract spiciness to a certain extent and provide a refreshing sensation. |
| 4 | Coconut Water | Coconut water’s mild sweetness and electrolytes can provide some relief and hydration. |
| 5 | Tomato Juice | The acidity in tomato juice can help balance the heat of spicy foods, providing moderate relief. |
| 6 | Fruit Juice | Some fruit juices, like orange or pineapple juice, can provide a mild cooling effect due to their natural sugars and acidity. |
| 7 | Beer or Wine | Alcohol can help dull the sensation of spiciness, but it’s less effective than other options and may not be suitable for everyone. |
| 8 | Soda | Carbonated soda can provide temporary relief due to its fizziness but is less effective overall. |
| 9 | Spicy Beverages | Avoid consuming other spicy beverages, as they can exacerbate the heat. Examples include hot tea or coffee. |
Keep in mind that individual preferences and tolerances may vary, so it’s a good idea to experiment with different liquids to find what works best for you when countering the spiciness of foods.
If You Only Have Lemon Water Available
If you have lemon water handy (perhaps you’re in a restaurant and that’s what they serve), here’s what you can expect when you drink it to counteract spicy foods that you’re consuming.
lemon water can help provide some relief when consuming spicy food. Lemon water can have a cooling and soothing effect on your mouth and palate due to its acidic nature. Here’s how it can assist with spicy food:
- Neutralizing Heat: The acidity in lemon water can help neutralize the heat generated by the capsaicin compound found in spicy foods. Capsaicin is responsible for the sensation of spiciness, and lemon’s acidity can counteract its effects to some extent.
- Refreshing Sensation: Lemon water’s refreshing and citrusy flavor can provide a pleasant contrast to the heat of spicy food, offering a temporary relief from the burning sensation.
- Hydration: Drinking water, including lemon-infused water, helps in keeping your mouth and throat hydrated. This can be especially beneficial when consuming spicy dishes, as it can prevent dryness and further irritation.
Foods To Consumer To Counteract Spicy Foods
While lemon water can provide some relief, it’s important to note that it may not completely eliminate the spiciness.
If you find a dish too spicy, you can also try dairy products like yogurt or milk, which contain casein, a protein that can help counteract the effects of capsaicin. Additionally, eating starchy foods like rice or bread can help absorb some of the spiciness and provide relief.
Keep in mind that personal tolerance to spiciness varies, so it’s a good idea to gauge your own comfort level when consuming spicy dishes and use lemon water or other remedies as needed.
How Does Capsaicin Affect The Tongue And Mouth?
Capsaicin is a naturally occurring compound found in chili peppers and it is responsible for the spicy or hot sensation that you experience when you eat spicy foods. When you eat foods that contain capsaicin, it binds to the pain receptors in your mouth, particularly the TRPV1 receptors, which are responsible for sensing heat and pain.
When the capsaicin binds to these receptors, it triggers a series of chemical reactions that cause a sensation of heat or burning in your mouth. This is why you may experience a tingling or burning sensation in your tongue and mouth when you eat spicy foods. The sensation can be particularly intense if you eat a lot of spicy food or if the food contains a high concentration of capsaicin.
Additionally, the heat generated by capsaicin can also stimulate the production of saliva in your mouth, which can help to wash away the capsaicin and provide some relief from the burning sensation. This is why drinking or eating dairy products like milk or yogurt can help to reduce the spiciness of foods that contain capsaicin.
Drinking water may or may not help alleviate the spiciness but milk-based products tend to help quickly.
Also, it’s best to stay away from carbonated drinks like soda and alcohol since neither will help to lessen the spiciness and may actually make it worse.
Summary
Drinking lemon water may help to reduce the burning sensation caused by spicy food to some extent, but it may not be as effective as plain lemon juice or other remedies like drinking milk or eating yogurt. This is because the water in the lemon water can dilute the acidity of the lemon juice, which is the component that helps to neutralize the capsaicin compounds responsible for the heat.
However, drinking water in general can still be helpful for relieving the symptoms of spiciness, as it can help to rinse away the capsaicin from your mouth and provide a cooling sensation. Therefore, while lemon water may have some mild benefits for reducing the heat from spicy food, drinking plain water or other remedies like milk or yogurt may be more effective.