what is it in milk that stops your mouth burning from spicy foods?

Question

Drinking milk after eating chilli or curry etc makes your mouth hurt less. But why? And are there any dairy free alternatives that do the same?

In: Chemistry

Answer 1

Un-fun fact: if you get mugged with pepper spray and having your husband waterboarded you with milk doesn’t do enough for your burning eyes, some diluted antacid will do the trick just as it does for heartburn. I speak from experience.