Glutamic acid, also called glutamate, is a non-essential amino acid that can be synthesized in many tissues and becomes very important in cell maintenance and growth. This is used by the body to build proteins; it is also an excitatory neurotransmitter, a stimulant that is abundant in the body. It is recognized as the brain’s food; this is because it increases mental capacity and helps the exchange of energy between tissues.
Many organs such as the spleen, stomach, pancreas, and intestine consume almost 95% of the glutamic acid ingested through food. For this reason, it is essential to maintain a diet that has this amino acid because its deficiency can generate different health disorders. On this occasion, at FastlyHealwe want you to know some foods rich in glutamic acid so that you can add them to your daily diet.
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Main functions and disorders due to lack glutamate
Glutamic acid performs several functions in the body, among which its help in the production of hydrochloric acid stands out; it is a source of energy for the brain and the cells of the immune system, it benefits the healing of ulcers, relieves fatigue and depression regulates the creation of urea in the liver, among others.
Glutamate is an essential amino acid for the body, and having a deficiency of this can cause significant alterations in the nervous system. In addition, the lack of glutamic acid in the body could cause severe disorders such as:
- Memory disturbances
- Irregularities in learning and neuronal plasticity.
On the other hand, not having enough glutamate in the body also often causes:
- Lack of concentration
- Considerable decrease in reflexes.
Chicken, source of glutamic acid
Chicken is one of the foods rich in glutamic acid since 3042 mg can be found in 100 grams of the breast. In addition, this food contains a high level of protein and phosphorus.
On the other hand, chicken contains tryptophan, an amino acid that provides a comforting sensation after eating, which is why it is considered a good antidepressant. Also, this food helps fight bone loss that occurs over the years and keeps the eyes healthy due to all the properties it contains. For this reason, it is advisable to consume chicken regularly to keep the body in good condition and with an adequate level of glutamic acid.
Eggs, food high in glutamate
Another excellent food that provides numerous benefits to the body is eggs. The protein in the yolk is perfect for the heart, helping to prevent blood clotting, which considerably reduces the risk of heart attacks. The egg is ideal for fighting inflammation, keeping bones in good condition as well as eyesight, and, of course, it is perfect for the brain since it is another of the foods rich in glutamic acid.
Eggs have about 10 to 12 grams of glutamic acid for every 100 grams of this food, approximately two eggs, depending on the size. This makes it another excellent meal to consume daily, although it is advisable to do it in the morning since it is the time when the body absorbs the most nutrients from each food.
If you want to know more nutritional information about eggs, we invite you to read the article how many eggs can I eat a week.
Cheese provides glutamic acid to the body.
Cheese is an ideal source of calcium, which helps keep bones and teeth in good condition. Also, cheese favors the production of breast milk, improves the skin thanks to its high content of vitamin B, and is rich in numerous proteins and nutrients that are essential for a healthy body.
Depending on the type of cheese, the amount of glutamic acid it contains can vary. The one with the highest concentration of this amino acid is Parmesan cheese, which has 8 grams per 100 grams of this product.
Seeds, another option to obtain glutamate
Most of the seeds are perfect for keeping the body in excellent condition, and several have a large amount of glutamic acid. Among those that contain the most, sesame seeds stand out, with 9.3 grams of glutamic acid in 85 grams of the food.
For its part, cotton seeds have 10.2 grams of glutamate in 85 grams of the product. It can be seen that the seeds have a high concentration of this amino acid, which is why they are considered as other foods rich in glutamic acid.
Fish, a food rich in glutamic acid
Fish are highly recommended foods both for people without any disorder and for those who suffer from any disease because they have excellent nutritional properties.
Among the main characteristics of fish is the protection it gives to the heart and arteries, the prevention of diseases because it is a good antioxidant, and, of course, the contribution of glutamic acid to keep the brain healthy. The species with the highest level of this amino acid is the Atlantic cod, which offers around 15 grams of glutamate for every 220 grams of food. For this reason, fish should be included in the diet to be consumed at least once a week.
This article is merely informative, at FastlyHeal .com we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any type of diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any type of condition or discomfort.
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I am a Surgeon with a diploma in comprehensive ultrasound and surgical care residency, an area I am specializing in. During the exercise of my profession, I have realized the need for patients to know the diseases they suffer, and I can tell you that a large part of their complications is due to a lack of information. Being a health web writer allows me to transmit my experience, without borders, to all those readers eager for knowledge, educate them in the prevention of diseases and promote a healthy lifestyle.