in korea, some people eat "bosintang" (literally "invigorating soup"), believing it to have medicinal properties, particularly as relates to virility. in south korea, dog meat is also believed to encourage one's energy or virility, and usually consumed during the intense korean summer, whereas in china dog meat is consumed in the winter months under the belief that it increases warmth. there is no scientific evidence to support any purported health benefits from consuming dog meat.