"Why does water not calm the tongue after eating hot spicy food?"

[chchtati]

The spices in most of the hot foods that we eat are oily, and, like your elementary school science teacher taught you, oil and water don't mix. In this case, the water just rolls over the oily spices.
What can you do to calm your aching tongue? Eat bread. The bread will absorb the oily spices. A second solution is to drink milk. Milk contains a substance called "casein" which will bind to the spices and carry them away. Alcohol also dissolves oily spices.   

[mlainez]

That is defeinitely good to know. Although I absolutely love spicy foods. I try not to overdo it cuz it's bad for your health.

[LittleDebbieG]

I remember reading about this way back in my Chem class. However, a caution to those with weaker stomaches, certain spicy foods can make the milk feel like it's curdling in your stomache. Last year, I took my mother to BWW for her birthday (her choice!). They had a special going on that if you could down five of their hottest wings in under five minutes, then your meal was free. Seeing as how I love spicy foods, I went for it. Huzzah.

After watching me scarf down the wings with no issue, a kid at the table next to us decided to order a giant glass of milk and try the challenge. He ate the first wing and it seemed to really bother him, because he grabbed the glass of milk and started chugging. That combination did NOT seem to mesh well. Soon thereafter, we changed tables so that they could clean up the mess.

[carolinaqt782]

i've always wondered why water wouldn't work...i knew the bread and milk thing, but never understood why lol. thanks for the info! good to know 

[CompKillaz]

well thats good to know... tkx

[rrod13]

Such a simple answer and yet I don't think I would have guessed it!

[lightstar240]

That's good to know. But I think Hot Cheetos must have something else in them because milk does NOT work. Maybe I'll try the bread next time.

[dodgers16]

 Thats good information thanks

[Stealth3si]

If you are a smoker, smoking also calms it down because the heat evaporates/burns the oil.

[Benagain303]

SMOKE ITS UP AFTER A BIG MEAL 

[mrisha]

I learned that a long time ago from my Mom.   Good to know others are aware.

[klkwid]

I actually heard that sugar counteracts the hot-if you're really in discomfort, use sugar to lessen the pain.  (the hotter something is, the more sugar it takes-I can't remember the name of it, but there's actually a method of measuring how much sugar it would take to dull the sensation of different levels of hottness)

[Bigrich1]

Habanero's,, 

[lightstar240]

I actually heard that sugar counteracts the hot-if you're really in discomfort, use sugar to lessen the pain.  (the hotter something is, the more sugar it takes-I can't remember the name of it, but there's actually a method of measuring how much sugar it would take to dull the sensation of different levels of hottness)

Yeah, I knew about the sugar thing.  That's why I always order a Coke or something whenever I get spicy food.

[prettymonsterkitty]

Plus, Coca-cola is good with everything!!! mmmm