Sore Throat from Spicy Food, Here’s the Right Way to Overcome It!

Kapanlagi.com - Do you enjoy eating seblak, ceker mercon, and other spicy cuisines? You may have experienced a burning or hot sensation in your throat after consuming these dishes. This condition might seem trivial to some, but for those who are sensitive, a sore throat from spicy food can be quite bothersome. It often makes it difficult for them to swallow or speak.

According to Dr. Michael Sicard, an ENT specialist at Charlotte Eye Ear Nose & Throat quoted from the CEENTA website, spicy food can indeed have a serious effect on the throat. The spiciness from capsaicin can cause irritation, leading to a sensation of pain, heat, and burning in the throat.

The phenomenon of a sore throat from spicy food is quite common, but it should not be taken lightly. Especially if it occurs repeatedly. It’s time to discuss in-depth the causes of this condition, how to overcome it, and tips to continue enjoying spicy food without suffering afterward.

1. Why Can Spicy Food Cause a Burning Throat?

Illustration of spicy food. (c) Ikarahma/Depositphotos.com

Consuming spicy food indeed provides a delightful sensation for its enthusiasts. But why can it cause a burning throat? According to the Mayo Clinic website, a burning throat from spicy food occurs because the capsaicin content in spicy food can irritate or cause damage to the throat. This condition can also trigger excessive mucus production and inflammation, which can ultimately lead to pain or discomfort.

Capsaicin works by binding to pain receptor nerves (TRPV1) located in the mouth, throat, and throughout the digestive tract. These receptors usually detect high temperatures, so when exposed to capsaicin, the brain receives signals as if the body is burning.

Even though there is actually no physical injury, the pain signals sent by the nerves still make the body react as if it were hurt or burned. This is why you feel a burning throat even after just eating chili sauce.

Additionally, capsaicin can also trigger mild irritation in the soft tissues of the throat, especially when consumed in large amounts or by individuals with high sensitivity. This sensation is usually temporary but can last longer if not properly addressed.

2. Common Symptoms When the Throat is Irritated by Spicy Food

Illustration of a hot throat. (c) Imagemore/Depositphotos.com

When the throat is hot due to spicy food, which indicates irritation, the body will give several signals that can be felt quite clearly. Recognize the important symptoms to determine the appropriate treatment as follows, let's go!

a. Burning or Hot Sensation in the Throat

A hot throat from spicy food is the most characteristic symptom that appears after consuming spicy food. The burning sensation in the throat is usually caused by capsaicin, the active compound in chili that stimulates heat and pain receptors.

Capsaicin does not actually cause wounds, but it tricks the nervous system into feeling like it is burning. This sensation can last from a few minutes to several hours depending on individual sensitivity and how spicy the food consumed is.

b. Mild to Moderate Cough

Capsaicin can also trigger a cough reflex, especially if it enters the upper respiratory tract or touches the vocal cords. This is a natural response of the body to eliminate the irritation that has entered.

The cough can feel dry or phlegmy, depending on the condition of the throat and how often you consume trigger foods. If coughing occurs repeatedly shortly after eating spicy food, it is highly likely that this is a direct response to irritation.

c. Dry or Itchy Throat

A dry or itchy sensation is also common as the body's response to irritation. When the mucous membrane in the throat is disturbed, the production of protective mucus may decrease or become excessive, both of which can cause discomfort.

d. Excessive Mucus Production

Not only does it cause a hot sensation in the throat, but spicy food also stimulates the mucus glands in the throat to work more actively as a form of protection. As a result, you may feel the urge to swallow continuously or experience a sensation of 'lump' in the throat. In some cases, excess mucus may also drip down the back of the nose (post-nasal drip) and cause additional irritation.

e. Hoarse Voice

If the irritation is severe enough, the vocal cords may also be affected. As a result, the voice can sound hoarse, heavy, or even temporarily lost. This condition occurs due to mild swelling of the tissues around the vocal cords as a reaction to inflammation caused by capsaicin. Although it is usually not dangerous, this condition can be quite bothersome, especially for those who have to speak a lot in their daily activities.

f. Choking Sensation or Difficulty Swallowing

In some people, irritation from spicy food can cause the throat muscles to contract as a reflex response. This creates a sensation similar to mild choking or difficulty swallowing, especially when trying to swallow water or food afterward.

3. How to Soothe a Hot Throat from Spicy Food

Illustration of a hot throat. (c) efurorstudio/Depositphotos.com

Experiencing a burning throat after eating spicy food can certainly disrupt daily activities. However, you don't need to panic. There are various ways to soothe throat irritation, let's go through them one by one!

a. Consume Fat-Based Products

The capsaicin compound that causes the burning sensation in spicy food is soluble in fat, not water. Therefore, drinking plain water is often ineffective in alleviating the heat and can even spread capsaicin more widely to other areas in the mouth and throat.

On the contrary, products like full cream milk, yogurt, cheese, or fatty foods like peanut butter and avocado can help dissolve capsaicin. The casein content in milk acts like a "soap" that cleans capsaicin from the pain nerve receptors, thus reducing the burning sensation more quickly.

b. Gargle with Warm Salt Water

Salt water is a natural antiseptic that has long been used to relieve a burning throat caused by spicy food. When used for gargling, this solution helps reduce inflammation, soothes irritated tissue, and prevents secondary infections from micro wounds caused by overly spicy food.

Mix half a teaspoon of table salt into a glass of warm water (not hot), then use it to gargle for 30 seconds. Do this 2-3 times a day for optimal results.

c. Drink Warm Water with Honey

Honey is known as a natural ingredient with anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and moisturizing properties. Consuming warm water mixed with one tablespoon of honey can help coat the throat walls and speed up the healing process from mild irritation caused by spicy food.

Some studies also show that honey can help reduce cough and discomfort in the throat more effectively than regular cough syrup, especially when used regularly.

d. Avoid Additional Trigger Foods

After irritation occurs, it is important to give the throat time to recover. Avoid foods and drinks that can exacerbate the condition, such as spicy foods, acidic foods like vinegar or citrus, oily and fried foods, carbonated drinks, and foods that are too hot or cold.

Give your throat a rest by choosing soft and neutral foods like clear soup, porridge, white bread, and warm plain water.

e. Inhale Warm Steam (Steam Inhalation)

This method is very effective, especially if the sore throat is accompanied by coughing or excess mucus. Inhaling warm steam helps to moisturize the respiratory tract and reduce irritation in the throat lining.

The method is easy: boil water, pour it into a bowl, and inhale the steam while covering your head with a towel. Add essential oils like peppermint or eucalyptus for added soothing effects.

4. Tips to Prevent a Hot Throat When Eating Spicy Food

Illustration of consuming spicy food. (c) BonNontawat/Depositphotos.com

Spicy food is indeed tempting, especially for culinary lovers who enjoy flavor challenges. However, its stinging sensation can have unpleasant effects on the throat if not handled wisely. To continue enjoying spicy dishes without suffering from a sore throat, here are some effective and easy prevention tips:

a. Do Not Consume on an Empty Stomach

Eating spicy food on an empty stomach can increase the risk of irritation in the stomach and upper digestive tract, including the throat. Without natural protection from other foods, the capsaicin in chili interacts more quickly with the mucosal walls and causes a burning sensation.

b. Gradually Reduce Spice Levels

If you are not used to eating super spicy food, it is best not to immediately try extreme spice levels. The body's response to capsaicin can be very individual; what is mild for one person may be torturous for another.

c. Include Fat Sources in Dishes

Adding fat elements to spicy foods can help naturally neutralize capsaicin. As mentioned earlier, capsaicin is fat-soluble, so the presence of fat can help 'wrap' this compound so it doesn't stick too much to the throat lining.

d.Drink Milk Before or After Eating Spicy

Milk contains casein, a protein that has been shown to effectively dissolve capsaicin from nerve receptors. Drinking milk before eating spicy food can be a preventive measure, while drinking afterward can help relieve the burning sensation more quickly.

e.Avoid Swallowing Immediately, Chew Food Thoroughly

When eating spicy food, our reflex is sometimes to quickly swallow the food due to the burning sensation. However, this actually causes capsaicin to come into direct contact with the throat without being 'softened' in the mouth first.

A hot throat from spicy food is the body's natural response to the capsaicin compound in chili. Although generally temporary and not harmful, this condition can be very bothersome if left unchecked or occurs continuously.

By understanding the causes and how to alleviate them, you can continue to enjoy your favorite spicy dishes without worry. Most importantly, listen to your body's signals. If your throat starts to 'protest', it might be time to take a short break and choose foods that are generally safe to consume.

(kpl/wri)