Why You Shouldn’t Drink Water After Spicy Food
Hot peppers can make you feel in your mouth. The American Chemical Society explains the science behind this burn and explains why drinking water is one of the worst ways to relieve this pain.
Capsaicin is a chemical compound that causes a burning sensation when eaten spicy food. It binds to pain receptors in the mouth, which can cause reactions such as tears from the eyes or a runny nose. The video explains that capsaicin is a non-polar molecule and dissolves in other non-polar molecules, so drinking milk containing non-polar molecules will bring you relief. (Not surprisingly, Thai and Indian cuisines, which are often so spicy, include a lot of dairy products.) Several other ingredients can help cool your mouth after eating spicy foods.
On the other hand, water? It is a polar substance that simply spreads the capsaicin down the mouth, exacerbating the fever.
Therefore, until you develop a tolerance for spicy foods , use some milk rather than water to cope with the fever.