Along with fats and carbohydrates, proteins are the three macronutrients that we acquire through food and that the body needs to live and be healthy. However, despite the fact that all three provide energy, the main function of proteins is not energetic.
In fact, proteins are the nutrients that perform the most functions within our body since, in addition to helping us build and repair muscles, they give structure to cells, and they transport and store nutrients and oxygen through the bloodstream to all cells and tissues that need them to function. Not to mention that they are also involved in the formation of our organs, glands, and arteries, but are also essential for healing wounds and repairing tissues, especially in muscles, skin, bones, and hair.
Without a doubt, they are small molecules but they perform amazing functions within our body, although there are many interesting facts that most of us do not know about them, so below we bring you some.
Why are proteins essential for all life?
Proteins exist in every single one of the billions of cells in the human body. Without them, life could not exist as they are essential for cell integrity. In fact, about 18-20% of the body is protein, making it the second most abundant substance in the body after water.
Where does the word protein come from?
The term protein was used for the first time in 1838 and has its origin in the Greek word proteanswhich means “primary” or “holding the first place”.
What are they made of?
Proteins are made up of basic compounds known as amino acids. However, although a typical protein is made up of 300 or more amino acids, the specific number and sequence of amino acids are unique to each protein and will determine its function.
Amino acids are classified as essential or non-essential. Essential amino acids are those that cannot be produced by the body and therefore eat from our diet, while non-essential amino acids are those that can be produced by the body by itself and do not need to come from the food we eat.
How much energy do they provide?
Although, as we mentioned, this is not their main function, proteins, like carbohydrates and fats, provide calories or energy. In this sense, proteins and carbohydrates each provide 4 calories per gram, while fats provide 9 calories per gram.
So, if you look at the nutrition facts label, you can determine how many calories you eat from protein in a serving of that food. (For example, 10 grams of protein means 40 calories).
They have a very short shelf life
Although there are around 100,000 different types of protein in our body, the shelf life of most of them is two days or less. However, recent discoveries of extremely long-lived proteins may provide scientists with information on cellular aging and neurodegeneration.
The most complete proteins
Complete proteins are those that contain all nine essential amino acids. While there are plant and animal proteins, in general, proteins of foods from animal origin such as meat, poultry, fish, dairy, and eggs are complete. This is because they contain higher proportions of essential amino acids compared to those of plant origin.
Various cereals, vegetables, and even fruits provide proteins
While most of us think of meat and other animal products as the main sources of protein, other foods can also provide proteins. Grains such as quinoa, whole-wheat pasta, and couscous have a significant amount, and we should not rule out fruits and vegetables since they can also provide protein to our diet.
Vegetarian sources include legumes (legumes), nuts, seeds, and fruits. Plants that are poor in protein include roots and tubers, such as yams, cassava, and sweet potatoes.
Not all proteins are digested equally
Because animal proteins are more similar to our proteins than plant proteins, they are more easily and quickly utilized. In other words, our bodies will make better use of animal proteins than plant-based ones.
hair protein
We all know that hair is made up of a type of protein called keratin, but what most of us do not know, is that the keratin that makes up our hair is helical in shape and also has sulfur bonds, which the more bonds there are. , the curlier a person’s hair will be.
Proteins keep us full
Protein helps make a meal more filling, which, in turn, helps people maintain a healthy weight. However, some meats are loaded with unhealthy saturated fats, so lean meat low in saturated fats will be our healthiest meat choice.
Gluten is a protein
Gluten is a protein found in wheat and other grains. When people have an allergic reaction to foods like gluten, it is because the structure of the protein itself triggers the reaction.
The cheese with the most protein
Of all dairy products, low-sodium Parmesan cheese has the highest amount of protein, with 41.6 grams per 100-gram serving.
Fish with the most protein
Fish lovers should know that the fish with the most protein is yellowfin tuna, with 30 grams per 100-gram serving. This is followed by anchovies (29 g), salmon (27 g), halibut (27 g), snapper (26 g), and tilapia with 26 g.
Proteins can have strange names
For example, Pikachurin protein is a retinal protein named after a Pokémon character named Pikachu, while Sonic Hedgehog protein was named after Sonic the Hedgehog and there is also a blue protein called Ranasmurfin, after the Smurfs.
Insects are more nutritious than many other common forms of protein.
100 grams of top sirloin contain 29 grams of protein and 21 grams of fat. However, 100 grams of grasshoppers contain 20 grams of protein and only 6 grams of fat, but the difference is that insect farming emits 10 times less greenhouse gases than cattle farming.