MREInfo.com

After seeing the various entrees of different countries military rations listed here and other sites, I've always been curious if there might be a link between the spicy-ness of these different rations and the gastro-intestinal health of the troops who consume them. What I mean is how healthy are the troops who consume rations that are more spicy because of culinary customs of their countries (chronic IBS, acid reflux, or lack of these symptoms because of the foods). Just pondering this on a rainy day in western MA. I remember how some earlier MRE menu entrees were harder to digest and could cause gastro-intestinal issues more than others.

Maybe, but at the same time overly bland food soon becomes tedious. The menus are only reflecting what people want. I remember the US "Buffalo Chicken" actually had some heat to it. It was good. Naturally, they discontinued it.