It was reported on October 29, 1918, that employees of the Curtis Corporation, a tuna cannery in Long Beach, California, had been rendered immune to influenza. Why? Simply because they had been exposed to the odor of pimientos, a sweet flavored pepper with a very mild heat. 

It was said that scientists had begun experiments to produce an effective anti-toxin from the pimientos. The article indicated that studies were underway to determine whether the eating of pimiento peppers could prevent the influenza.