What is an amino acid?

Amino acids are molecules that form proteins, indispensable for metabolism, energy production, formation of new tissues, and maintenance of the immune system.

There are several types of amino acids, but only 20 are enough to form all the proteins used by our body. They are divided into two categories: non-essential and essential.

The non-essential ones are those that our own body can synthesize; the essential ones are those that we are not able to produce and, therefore, we need to obtain from the intake of certain foods, largely of animal origin (meat, eggs, and milk).

But vegetarians don’t need to worry: besides meat, there is a wide variety of foods rich in essential amino acids, from cereals, such as wheat and oats, to legumes (beans, chickpeas, soy) and oilseeds (nuts and other types of seeds).

Glutamate amino acid and umami

The amino acid glutamate (also called glutamic acid) is closely related to umami. On our palate, we perceive the fifth taste when we consume foods that contain this amino acid. It is present in foods such as mushrooms, seaweed (Nori and Kombu, especially), fish, eggs, meats, and cheeses, as well as tomatoes, corn, peas, broccoli, green asparagus, among others.

In the body, it performs a series of important functions: it is the main source of energy used by the intestine, helps in the digestion of proteins, and helps metabolize ammonia, which is excreted by the body in the form of urea.

The glutamate produced by the body is one of the main neurotransmitters of mammals – it is believed to be involved in cognitive functions of the brain, such as memory and learning.

Now that you know what amino acids are and what their functions are, check out some of our tips for a protein-rich diet and, of course, lots of umami taste!