Spring Fine Dust: Key Nutrients to Protect Your Throat

If your throat feels scratchy and uncomfortable due to spring's unwelcome guest, fine dust, it's time to focus on the 'hero ingredients' that can protect your health. Beneficial components that directly support throat health already exist around us. Spring is the season when fine dust concentration rises, worsening air quality, drying out respiratory mucous membranes, and leading to an increase in people complaining of throat pain.

Curcumin, abundant in turmeric – the main ingredient of curry – is effective in suppressing chronic inflammation and lowering inflammation levels throughout the respiratory system, including the throat and lungs. Selenium, an antioxidant nutrient that inhibits inflammation by reducing oxidative stress, has research results indicating its potential in lung cancer prevention and asthma symptom relief. It is rich in animal liver, meat, fish, eggs, and Brazil nuts.

Vitamins, found abundantly in various fruits and vegetables such as cabbage, bell peppers, and radishes, help strengthen immunity. Limonene, a compound that calms inflammation and relieves coughs, is rich in citrus fruits like yuzu and quince, and is beneficial for throat health when consumed as tea.