Accounting for tastes: do low-income populations have a higher preference for spicy foods?

Abstract

Based on the Theory of Rational Addiction (TORA), this paper uses the China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS) data to identify the correlation between income and preference for spicy foods. Results show that low-income individuals have a higher preference for spicy foods compared to high-income people, even in the same geographic area. Males and young people prefer spicy foods more than females and the elderly. Instrumental variable (IV) regression results also support that low-income individuals have a higher preference for spicy foods. The effect-channel results show that income affects the preference of spicy foods through health behaviors and health awareness. However, there is no significant evidence to support arguments about health capital stock and food selection channels.