yes, it is interesting. Consider that vitamin C was known to prevent scurvy, but then that knowledge was lost, and rediscovered later on. How much knowledge may be codified in ancient customs, and that we might have forgotten the foundations for that knowledge.

Vitamin C was not known to prevent scurvy. Citrus fruits, which contain vitamin C, were known to prevent scurvy, but no one knew why. They had theories, but the theories were wrong.

It might better be viewed as a behavioral "mutation" of sorts that improved the viability of those who adopted the practice. There are many interesting things that happen by chance.