In Reply to: bloody bali belly posted by sassy_shannon on Tuesday, 7. August 2007 at 12:57 Bali Time:
There seems to be a big misconception about chili and the occurrence of Bali Belly. A lot of people seem to believe excess chili consumption can cause Bali belly...completely incorrect, chili has the opposite effect. Chili eaten in food actually acts as a gastrointestinal detoxicant, making you LESS susceptible to Bali belly and other gastrointestinal infections. I think one of the reasons chilies are so popular in 3rd world countries because they prevent the ill-effects of badly preserved food and associated strep infections.
I tonne chili onto everything and in 16 visits I have never once had Bali Belly.
If eaten in excess they can cause a sense of urgency to hit the 'crapier' (this should not be confused with the runs) this is what happens when the seeds finally break-down in the lower intestine, they are like little grenades, releasing capsaicum in the intestine, giving you an urgent feeling and a ring of fire ; )