I love spicy food, buffalo wings, hot sauce with my eggs, I can put hot sauce on any meal and still enjoy it. But what makes the food spicy? Why does a ghost pepper burn my mouth but a banana doesn’t?
Its all chemistry and biology really. Capsaicin is an organic compound that is made in the plant cells. Capsaicin is the reason why some food are spicy and others are not. The capsaicin molecules attach to the VR1 receptors in a persons tongue. The mol
ecules bind with the VR1 receptors and a burning sensation follows. The brain signals the burning sensation, the sensation is similar to what happens when a part of the body get to close to a fire. So now that we know what makes our mouths burn lets figure out how to get rid of the pain.
When your mouth is on fire what should you go to first… Old reliable water might due. WRONG, the issue is that water and Capsaicin don’t mix. So chugging a glass of ice water will only spread the burn around your mouth. Making the burn worse. So water is out… whats the next thing you should grab in the kitchen? Milk or dairy products. 
The reason why milk and dairy products help is because capsaicin is soluble with the fats found in milk and other dairy products. Once the dairy is in the system the capsaicin can’t stick to the VR1 receptors and the fire in your mouth will go away.
So now that you know how to deal with the heat spicy food delivers remember to go straight for milk, yogurt, ice cream or any other food that is made up of dairy.
Works Cited:
http://www.foodrepublic.com/2011/05/11/what-makes-food-spicy
http://www.wired.com/2010/09/why-does-spicy-food-taste-hot/
My mom always told me that milk was the best drink to take if I ate something too spicy but I always wondered why. This was very interesting because I did not know that capsaicin was soluble in the fats that are found in milk and other dairy products. I know I will reach for milk next time. I also found some other foods and drinks that can help cool down a spicy mouth in this article http://www.medicaldaily.com/dont-feel-burn-5-best-remedies-cool-your-tongue-after-eating-spicy-food-279930
I always thought that this was a myth! I am excited that it actually works because I am a big fan of spicy foods but I hate when the spiciness lingers on my mouth after I am done eating it. The discovery channel also published an article about this topic. http://www.discovery.com/tv-shows/mythbusters/mythbusters-database/cure-milk-hot-chilies.htm
In the comments, a man mentioned that vodka is the best way to get rid of the spicy taste. I wonder is milk or vodka does a better job.