my only 'defense' of this idiocy is to present the suggestion that "spicy food" to most people equates to restaurant or fast food, and in that case, very often, the good qualities of hot peppers would be altered substantially, by reheating, overheating, excess deep-frying, microwaving, you name it. And this kind of behaviour won't help a person heal enything.
Yeah, I see what you mean. Hopefully he'll embrace whole vegan foods now and be glad I presented info to him that I believe will enable him to live long and well. He may do well anyway, but if he didn't change since the procedure I'd say it would be way too risky to continue in the manner he was eating and living.