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| I’ll admit that I’m not that adventurous when it comes to spicy food. This may or may not have to do with a regrettable experience I once had with a ghost pepper. Or maybe it’s because I don’t get the endorphin rush that’s supposed to come along with spicy compounds. |
| Either way, the fact that I don’t eat much of it means my tolerance is very low. And on the occasion that I do accidentally take in a little too much heat, I have pretty much zero defenses to get me to the other side. |
| Enter: today’s newsletter. We caught up with registered dietitian and good pal Kelli McGrane to answer the age-old question of how to cool a burning mouth. |
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Careful out there,
Ginger Wojcik
Newsletter Editor, Healthline |
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Written by Ginger Wojcik
October 17, 2026 • 3 min read |
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| Q: |
Is there anything I can do to stop my mouth from burning after eating something really spicy? |
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| A: |
Unfortunately, by the time your brain registers that your mouth is hurting, the only thing that’s going to help stop the pain completely is time. That said, there are foods and beverages that can help reduce the pain.
There are several compounds that can make your mouth feel like it’s on fire. But the best-known culprit — and the one that causes your mouth to “burn” the longest — is a compound found in chili peppers called capsaicin.
While water might seem like a logical choice, trust me when I say to avoid it. Capsaicin doesn’t dissolve in water, so all you’ll achieve is swishing the capsaicin molecules around to more pain receptors in your mouth. Ouch!
Instead, reach for something that will help dissolve the capsaicin: fat. Some great options include:
- full-fat dairy products like milk, yogurt, and sour cream
- nut butters like peanut butter and almond butter
To help prevent spice overload to begin with, make sure one of the foods above is also on your fork or spoon when you go to take a bite of something spicy. This way, fewer of the spicy compounds are likely to hit your taste buds.
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| Want to learn more about food, diets, cooking, or some other nutrition subject? Let us know at nutritionedition@healthline.com and we'll look into it for you! (Heads up, we may use your response in an upcoming newsletter.)
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| Delicious and Nutritious |
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| Green Chef |
| Looking for plant-based meal ideas? Trying to up your protein intake? Need new recipes in your life? Green Chef has you covered! The ingredients and the sauces arrive pre-measured and prepped. Each recipe also has easy-to-follow steps to help you cook everything at home to absolute perfection. |
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| Every product we recommend has gone through either Healthline's or Optum Store’s vetting processes. If you buy through links on this page, we may receive a small commission or other tangible benefit. Healthline has sole editorial control over this newsletter. Potential uses for the products listed here are not health claims made by the manufacturers. Healthline and Optum Store are owned by RVO Health. |
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| What we’re digesting |
| 🧠 Looking for a brain boost? You may want to add a daily multivitamin to your routine. |
| 🥩 8 ways to speed up your metabolism. Yet another reason to up your protein intake. |
| 🫄 Feeling full all the time? These six symptoms could signal a health condition. |
| 💊 10 supplements that fight inflammation. Here are the top picks, according to science. |
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| Thanks for reading, everyone! Meet us back here on Sunday to learn why Kenny hates cereal and get the recipe for a truly protein-packed breakfast.
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| Until next time, |
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Take care of yourself, and we’ll see
you again soon! |
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