What is the best thing to eat after eating hot peppers?

November 3, 2025 •

4 min read

According to food scientists, the burning sensation from hot peppers isn't a taste but a pain response triggered by a compound called capsaicin. So, what is the best thing to eat after eating hot peppers to find relief? The most effective strategy is to consume foods that neutralize, absorb, or remove this stubborn, oil-based compound from your mouth.

Quick Summary

Capsaicin causes the heat from hot peppers. For quick relief, reach for dairy products, which contain casein protein to break down capsaicin. Starches and sugars can also help by absorbing or distracting from the burning sensation.

Key Points

Dairy is key: The protein casein in milk, yogurt, and cheese breaks down capsaicin, providing the most effective relief.
Avoid water: Capsaicin is oil-based, so water will only spread the burn around your mouth and intensify the pain.
Use starches as a mop: Starchy foods like rice and bread absorb the capsaicin molecules, physically removing them from your tongue.
Sweetness distracts and absorbs: A spoonful of sugar or honey can distract your pain receptors and help absorb the spicy oils.
Acids neutralize the heat: The acidity in lemon or lime juice can help neutralize the alkalinity of capsaicin.
Fats dissolve capsaicin: Fatty foods like peanut butter or olive oil are excellent for dissolving the spicy compound.
Cold provides temporary numbing: While not a permanent solution, a cold item can numb the mouth for immediate, albeit temporary, relief.

The Science of Spicy: Why Capsaicin Burns

Before diving into the best remedies, it’s helpful to understand the science behind the burn. The heat in hot peppers comes from capsaicin, a molecule that is oil-based and hydrophobic, meaning it doesn’t mix with water. When capsaicin binds to pain receptors in your mouth, it triggers a sensation of heat and pain. This is why chugging a glass of water is ineffective and can even spread the burn around your mouth. The best foods for relief work by either dissolving the capsaicin, acting as a physical barrier, or introducing a neutralizing agent.

Dairy: The Ultimate Heat Neutralizer

High-fat dairy is widely considered the most effective antidote for chili burn. The secret is a protein called casein, which acts like a detergent, breaking down and washing away the oily capsaicin molecules.

How Dairy Works to Fight the Fire:

Whole Milk: A cold glass of whole milk is a classic and effective remedy. The fat content helps dissolve the capsaicin, while the casein binds to it, providing quick relief.
Yogurt and Sour Cream: The high-fat content and cooling temperature of yogurt, sour cream, or crème fraîche make them excellent choices. Many cuisines serve these alongside spicy dishes for exactly this reason, like a raita with a hot Indian curry.
Cheese: A few bites of fatty cheese can also provide relief. The fat-soluble properties of capsaicin make it cling to the fats in the cheese, removing it from your pain receptors.

Starches and Carbs: The Capsaicin Mop

For those who are lactose intolerant or simply prefer an alternative, starchy foods can help by physically absorbing the capsaicin. Think of them as tiny sponges that soak up the spicy oil from your tongue and mouth.

Great Starchy Options:

Rice and Bread: Plain, cooked white rice or a piece of bread can be surprisingly effective. This is one reason why many spicy Asian and Indian meals are served with a side of rice or naan—it's meant to be an integral part of the experience for managing the heat.
Tortillas: Similar to bread, a tortilla can act as a physical buffer and soaker for the spicy compound.
Bananas: Some find that the starchy, thick texture of a banana helps to coat the mouth and provide a soothing sensation.

Sweet and Acidic Foods: Distraction and Neutralization

For a different approach, you can turn to sweet or acidic foods. Sugars provide a pleasant distraction and increase the solubility of capsaicin, while acids can help neutralize the molecule's alkaline properties.

Sweet & Sour Solutions:

Honey and Sugar: A spoonful of honey or sugar can work wonders. The sweetness can overpower the pain receptors, and some sugar molecules can help absorb the spicy oils.
Lemon and Lime: Acidic beverages like lemonade, limeade, or a splash of lime juice on your meal can help neutralize capsaicin. The sourness can also be a strong flavor distraction.
Peanut Butter: A rich, fatty food like peanut butter works on two fronts: the fat helps dissolve the capsaicin, and the sugar provides a soothing effect.

Quick Comparison of Spicy Food Remedies


Remedy Type	Examples	Primary Mechanism	Relief Speed	Effectiveness
Dairy	Whole milk, yogurt, sour cream	Casein breaks down capsaicin's oily molecules.	Immediate	High
Starches	Rice, bread, tortillas	Absorption acts as a sponge for capsaicin.	Moderate	Medium
Sweets	Sugar, honey	Absorption & Distraction, overpowering pain.	Immediate	Medium
Acids	Lemon/lime juice, orange juice	Neutralization of capsaicin's alkalinity.	Immediate	Medium
Fats/Oils	Peanut butter, olive oil	Dissolving capsaicin into another oily base.	Immediate	High
Water	Water, beer, soda	Spreads capsaicin around the mouth.	Temporary (worsens after)	Very Low

What to Avoid When Eating Spicy Food

Just as important as knowing what to eat is knowing what to avoid. Water-based liquids like water, beer, or soda will only make the burning sensation worse by spreading the oily capsaicin around your mouth. The small amount of alcohol in beer is not enough to dissolve the capsaicin, so you're mostly just getting the ineffective water component. Hot liquids like coffee or tea can also amplify the sensation of heat, as capsaicin already stimulates heat receptors.

Conclusion: Your Best Strategy for Spicy Food

Ultimately, the best thing to eat after eating hot peppers to stop the burn is full-fat dairy, but a combination of methods can also be effective. A glass of cold milk or a spoonful of yogurt will provide the quickest and most complete relief by actively breaking down the irritating capsaicin molecule. For a non-dairy option, a piece of bread or a spoonful of peanut butter can absorb the fiery compound. If you're looking for a quick fix, a sweet treat or an acidic drink can provide a distraction and some neutralization. Combining these methods—like having a fatty, starchy side dish with your spicy meal—is often the best way to enjoy a fiery meal without the discomfort.

Looking for some culinary inspiration? Learn how to incorporate just the right amount of heat into your cooking with tips from our favorite recipe sites.

Frequently Asked Questions

Milk helps because it contains a protein called casein. Capsaicin, the compound that causes the burn, is oil-based, and casein acts like a detergent that binds to and breaks down these oily molecules, washing them away from your pain receptors.

Milk is significantly better than water. Water is ineffective because it doesn’t dissolve the oil-based capsaicin and can actually spread it around your mouth, intensifying the burn. The fat and casein in milk, however, effectively neutralize and remove the capsaicin.

Yes, ice cream can help. Its high fat and dairy content work similarly to milk and yogurt, breaking down capsaicin. The cold temperature also provides an immediate numbing sensation for additional relief.

If you are lactose intolerant, you can use high-fat, non-dairy alternatives like peanut butter, almond butter, or full-fat coconut milk, as capsaicin is fat-soluble. Starchy foods like rice, bread, or a spoonful of honey or sugar are also effective options.

Yes, bread works by absorbing the capsaicin. While it doesn't neutralize the heat chemically like dairy, the physical absorption of the starchy food can help remove the spicy molecules from your mouth.

To soothe your stomach, reach for dairy products like yogurt or milk, as the casein can neutralize capsaicin. Bananas are also effective as they can increase mucus production to protect the stomach lining. Drinking peppermint tea or honey water can also help calm your digestive system.

No, alcohol is generally not an effective remedy. While capsaicin is soluble in alcohol, the low percentage in most beverages like beer is not enough to make a difference. Stronger spirits might help, but they are not a practical solution.