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submitted 9 months ago by Stamets@lemmy.world to c/memes@lemmy.world
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[-] LarmyOfLone@lemm.ee 7 points 9 months ago

Isn't this because they have anti-bacterial properties? So that you can preserve food and especially in hot climates you don't get food poisoning as easily?

[-] Brokenbutstrong@lemmy.world 7 points 9 months ago

Yup! I studied evolutionary psychology in college. Different seasonings helped make food safer to eat in hotter climates. My prof said “that's why if you leave a really salty piece of jerky under your bed, it's probably fine.”

Also explains why cultures up north typically didn't adapt a preference for spicy food as the cold allowed them to preserve food that way

[-] ammonium@lemmy.world 3 points 9 months ago

That doesn't really make much sense since salted and pickled foods are eaten up north. The more logical explanation is that spicy food doesn't grow up north.

[-] LarmyOfLone@lemm.ee 2 points 9 months ago

Maybe in hotter climates you have more problems with bacteria vs fungus / rot in colder climates? Another explanation is that spicy / hot food is popular because it forces you to drink more water. But it's all speculation on my part, never found any definitive answers.

[-] afraid_of_zombies@lemmy.world 2 points 9 months ago

Probably and was probably an accidental discovery. Someone noticed that spicy meat lasted longer.

this post was submitted on 10 Feb 2024
665 points (100.0% liked)

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