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

Casein (a protein) in milk helps breakdown the spicy chemical (capsaicin) bonds. It’s like when soap sticks to dirt so that it’s easier to wash your hands.