It has been well known and documented in Middle Eastern and North African countries that they have a lower incidence of certain intestinal problems thanks to their intensive use of hot peppers and spicy foods (they may have other problems linked to the same foods but I do not know which)...the capsaicin apparently fights infections in the intestinal tract and reduces inflammation.
On the other hand, they seem to suffer from an inordinate amount of burning hemorrhoids...what goes in, must come out...
pick your poison.
Sharon