system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
ELI5: Why does water feel much colder in your mouth when chewing mint gum?
gpt
The ingredient in mint gum that gives that cooling sensation is called Menthol.

The tongue can not tell the difference between Menthol and actual cold temperatures so that's why they feel the same.

As a side note, capsaicin (the active ingredient in spicy food) is why our mouths feel hot.  Again, because this chemical tricks our tongue into thinking, it's on fire.