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FoodSurprise 4/5Difficulty 3/5Reviewed on September 13, 2026

Capsaicin in chilli peppers is not a taste, it activates pain and heat receptors.

Why it is true

Chilli does not have a spicy taste in the traditional sense. Capsaicin binds to TRPV1 receptors, the same ones that detect heat and pain. The brain interprets the signal as a burn, even without elevated temperature. That is why water does not relieve it, but milk does.

Source: Chemical Senses

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