Amino acids are the “building blocks of protein”, which is essential to the overall functioning of the body. In particular, there are nine amino acids are considered as essential, means they have to get through diet as the body can not create enough of them itself. These are:
- Leucine (Good food sources): almonds, coconuts, papaya, olives, walnuts and apricots
- Isoleucine: cottage cheese, fish, meats, peanuts, sesame seeds, olives, pistachios and almonds
- Valine: tomatoes, apples, pomegranates, carrots, turnips, mint, beetroots and sweet gourd
- Lysine: cucumber, celery, mint, alfalfa, pears, papaya, grapes, apples, carrots and spinach
- Threonine: papaya, alfalfa and most green leafy vegetables
- Tryptophan: beetroots, celery, spinach, turnips and carrots
- Methionine: garlic, cabbages, apples and cauliflower
- Phenylalanine: spinach, tomatoes, mint, beetroots, apples and pineapples
- Histidine: cucumber, carrots, garlic, onions, turnips, alfalfa, pineapples, papaya, apples, carrots and radishes
And the other eleven non-essential amino acids are those that can be synthesized by the body itself, they’re maybe not be required for protein building, but still serve many functions to create optimal health.
Alanine, for example, is able to remove the toxins during exercise to promote the liver function, same with cysteine too, which works as a detoxifier in your body, and also performs as an antioxidant, works effectively to maintain your skin, hair and nails health. Taurine, another non-essential amino acids, which has been shown to improve brain function and promote digestion as well.
Good food sources of non-essential amino acids are:
- Arginine: carrots, beetroots, cucumber, lettuce, potatoes and green leafy vegetables
- Alanine: alfalfa, green pepper, apinach, apples, grapes, oranges, almonds, strawberries, turnips and celery
- Asparagine: eggs, beef, fish and other seafood, potatoes, whole grains and legumes
- Aspartic acid: mint, tomatoes, turnips, lemons, apples, grapefruit, melons and celery
- Cysteine: alfalfa, beet roots, cauliflower, onions, garlic, pineapples and raisins
- Glutamine: yogurt, cottage cheese, beef, fish, cabbage, spinach and milk
- Glutamic acid: carrots, turnips, celery, spinach, papaya and cabbages
- Glycine: alfalfa, garlic, potatoes, oranges, melons, almonds, pomegranates and mint
- Proline: beetroots, carrots, cucumber, figs, olive, grapes, oranges, coconuts, almonds and lettuce
- Serine: garlic, onion, carrots, spinach, cabbage, apples and papaya
- Tyrosine: alfalfa, beetroots, lettuce, mint, spinach, green pepper, plums, cherries, melons and figs
Be sure to eat these foods that are high in amino acids, no matter essential ones or nonessential ones, they’re both play an important role in your body functions: for better energy, improved muscle definition, healthier skin, better brain function and memory.
Learn more about Amino Acid Benefits
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