Benefits Of Eating Protein Rich Foods And Amino Acids
Amino acids are organic compounds that form protein – the building block of life. When protein is digested, it’s broken down into various types of amino acids and it does wondrous things for the body.
There are nine amino acids that are considered essential and enable the body to produce the required protein; leucine, isoleucine, valine, lysine, threonine, tryptophan, methionine, phenylalanine and histidine. Some crucial for the growth, repair and maintenance of body tissues include; arginine, alanine, asparagine, aspartic acid, cysteine, glutamine, glutamic acid, glycine, proline, serine, and tyrosine.
Research has revealed that many non-essential amino acids contribute to healing and relieving symptoms of many conditions (anaemia, insomnia and anxiety, to name a few).
So what foods should you eat that contain essential amino acids? Protein rich foods such as dairy products, red meat, poultry and seafood contain nine of the essential amino acids. A lower dose of amino acid can also be found in vegetables, fruits and grains. If you’re a vegetarian, be sure to balance your diet with protein sourced from nuts, beans and grains. These foods won’t just provide amino acids, but additional nutrients such as fibre and vitamins A and C.
If you’re wondering how you know whether you are getting your required amounts of amino acids, if you’re eating protein rich foods daily, it is highly likely that you are.
Some fruits and vegetables that are high in amino acids include:
Alanine – Mainly sourced from alfalfa but also found in celery, carrot, lettuce, cucumber, turnips, green pepper, spinach, plums, apples, guavas, grapes, oranges, almonds and strawberries.
Aspartic acid – carrots, celery, radishes, cucumber, mint, tomatoes, turnips, lemons, grapefruit, apples, plums, pineapples, melons and almonds.
Cystine – alfalfa, beetroots, carrots, cabbages, cauliflower, onions, garlic, apples, pineapples, raspberries, raisins.
Glycine – carrots, turnips, celery, mint, alfalfa, spinach, garlic, potatoes, figs, oranges, raspberries, pomegranates, melons and almonds.
Isoleucine – papaya, olives, coconuts, almonds, apricots, pistachios and walnuts.
Leucine – coconuts, almonds, apricots, papaya, olives, pistachios and walnuts.
Serine –radishes, garlic, onion, carrots, beetroots, celery, cucumber, mint, spinach, cabbage, alfalfa, papaya, apples and pineapples.
Threonine – carrots, green leafy vegetables, alfalfa and papaya.
Tyrosine – alfalfa, carrots, beetroots, cucumber, lettuce, mint, spinach, green pepper, plums, strawberries, cherries, apples, melons, figs and almonds.
A full list can be found –here-
Why eat foods that are high in amino acids?
- Improve your chances for optimal health - Increase energy levels - Increase strength - Increase recovery time - Improve muscle definition - Improve skin condition - Better mood - Improve memory - Enhance brain function
