Yes, lower-latitude traditions are indeed statistically spicier, so are meat dishes, and antimicrobial properties are apparently supported: http://www.americans

Yes, lower-latitude traditions are indeed statistically spicier, so are meat dishes, and antimicrobial properties are apparently supported: http://www.americanscientist.org/issues/pub/protecting-ourselves-from-food/1 http://www.americanscientist.org/issues/pub/protecting-ourse... I always figured the "mask the rot" explanation was another smug myth to put the past in its place. (From 2001; I haven't looked for more recent work.)