There is no doubt that any living organism needs a nutritious diet containing all types of useful substances. Without underestimating the importance of carbohydrates and fats, we will still pay more attention to proteins. This component of food is certainly very important. Where is protein found in humans and other animals? In all body tissues. Protein enzymes also control all biochemical reactions.
In addition, proteins perform a large number of other functions. One of the first questions regarding them is the following: “Where is the protein?” Namely: we are interested in what foods are rich in proteins.
It should be said that proteins are plant and animal in origin. It is clear that the first we get from plant foods, the second from animal products. By the way, they differ in composition, that is, are synthesized from various amino acids and are “assembled” in a different order. But for our body it does not matter what protein comes with food, any protein is broken down in the digestive tract into “component” parts - amino acids. These are organic acids that build a complex protein molecule. They are transported after absorption in the intestine into organs and tissues, and each cell synthesizes its own proteins unique to a particular organism. That is why it is so important which set of amino acids contains this protein.
The fact is that about 2/5 of them are indispensable. This means that the body cannot synthesize them from other amino acids. Therefore, we must receive them with food. According to the presence of essential amino acids, proteins are divided into complete and inferior. Accordingly, the former contain all the necessary structural units of the protein, while the latter do not.
Essential amino acids found in meat, chicken, fish, dairy products, eggs, grains, legumes, nuts and seeds. Our body has its own set of these substances (in contrast to their combination for other animals). Some amino acids are partially replaceable by others with a similar structure, for example, phenylalanine deficiency can be filled with tyrosine, and arginine with glutamic acid.
So where is the protein? In what foods can we find it? Almost all the food we consume daily. Not surprising, since a significant part of the body of an animal or plant consists of proteins. However, it’s better to clarify: “What foods contain a lot of protein?”
First, let's talk about animal proteins. In record high quantities, they are present in meat of any kind, including poultry and any game, in fish, liver, cheese, eggs, cottage cheese, milk. It is also important that the meat contains essential amino acids: lysine, methionine and tryptophan in an ideal proportion of 5.5: 3.5: 1.
Where is protein found when it comes to herbal products? Most of it is in legumes, lentils, nuts, seeds, soy, Brussels sprouts, cereals (wheat, rye, buckwheat).