Fighting fine dust: Can samgyeopsal really help?

Click here for more articles by Kormedi.com. For a long time, Koreans have turned to eating samgyeopsal when fine dust levels are high, based on the popular belief that greasy foods like grilled pork belly can clear fine dust from the throat and remove toxins from the body. If this were truly the case, it would be great news for meat lovers. However, from a medical perspective, there is no scientific evidence supporting the idea that samgyeopsal helps remove fine dust from the body. That said, the belief is not entirely without basis, as certain physiological effects of eating fatty foods may create temporary sensations that people interpret as health benefits. Here is a closer look at the relationship between samgyeopsal and fine dust. When people eat high-fat foods, they often feel that their throat becomes smoother. This is because the grease temporarily coats the mucous membranes, reducing irritation. This can make dryness and discomfort feel less prominent for a short time. In addition, chewing samgyeopsal stimulates saliva production. Saliva is a natural protective fluid for the th