Regrann from @parmatra_yantriki - A family of compounds called capsaicinoids are responsible for the heat of chillies; within this family, several different compounds are found in the various varieties of chillies, but the dominant compound is capsaicin, a vanniloid. The capsaicinoids found in chillies bind to a receptor in the mucous membrane of the mouth when ingested; this is the receptor associated with heat and physical abrasion, and hence this produces a burning sensation. Despite this, the compound does not produce any physical or tissue damage. If the compound is ingested repeatedly, the receptors that it binds to can become depleted, effectively allowing you to build up a tolerance; the pain produced actually produces endorphins, a class of compounds that act as natural painkillers in the body, and can also impart ‘a sense of well-being’. As well as its presence in chillies, capsaicin finds a use in pepper sprays in low concentrations, as its inflammatory effects cause the eyes to close, incapacitating those it is sprayed at. They’re commonly used in bear attack deterrent sprays for the same reason, in which the actual percentage of capsaicin and related capsaicinoids in the formulation is recommended to be a minimum of 1%. Finally, there’s the oft mooted question of how best to soothe the fire of chillies. The long hydrocarbon ‘tail’ of the capsaicin molecule makes it insoluble in water; it is, however, readily soluble in alcohol and oil. That said, the small percentage of alcohol in beer sadly isn’t enough to have much of an impact. The best bet for removing the burning sensation of too much chilli is to drink milk – this contains a class of proteins called casein, which is lipophilic and envelopes the fatty capsaicin molecules, successfully washing them away and preventing them from further stimulating the receptors in the mucus membranes. #food #foodchemistry #chemistry #chilli #scoville #ghostpepper #bhutjolokia #organic #painkillers #heat #burn #numb #hot #foodscience #scientistsofinstagram #science Follow @parmatra_yantriki for more 🔥 - #regrann

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