Exactly. The approach of eating and drinking freely in order to toughen up the GI tract can work in some cases, but it can also backfire, leading to increased sensitivity. That goes for pathogens like viruses, bacteria, and parasites as well as allergens and chemical toxins.
While it's true that some exposure is inescapable while traveling--and at times may benefit--I think it's also important to take precautions. You probably wouldn't invite mosquito-borne parasites into your life (malaria, dengue, West Nile), set your camp up in thick poison ivy, or snack on spoiled seafood--the potential consequences are severe and the possible benefits sparse. Personally, I eat lots of street foods but stay away from the stalls selling yesterday's production out of clouds of flies.
"There's nothing you can do" sounds grossly oversimplified. There's plenty that each of us does, and much of it is effective. "There is nothing you can do to stay absolutely safe" would be closer to the truth.
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