Mamey Sapote: Complete Amino Acid Profile

Mamey Sapote ‐ Amino Acids List

Introduction

Mamey sapote (Pouteria sapota) or mamey, is a tropical fruit that grows in the Caribbean, Mexico and South America. It is known for its sweet flavor and rich color, as well as its nutritious properties. In this paper, we will discuss some of the key amino acids found inside mamey sapote in order to better understand the nutritional content and benefits of this exotic fruit.

Amino Acids Overview

Amino acids are organic compounds which are the building blocks of proteins. They are composed of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and sulfur; three of these elements form peptide bonds between themselves to create molecule chains known as polypeptides that eventually form proteins. There are 21 different amino acids all together, each one with their own unique characteristics and roles within the body. Of these 21, 9 are essential amino acids, meaning they are not produced by the human body and must be attained through diet for optimal health.

The Amino Acids Found in Mamey Sapote

1. Alanine: This non-essential amino acid performs many important functions in the body such as forming glucose, a type of sugar used for energy, providing fuel for active muscles, enhancing cardiovascular fitness, boosting brain development, and helping regulate blood sugar levels. It can also help protect against liver damage caused by viral infections and may aid in decreasing cholesterol levels.

2. Arginine: A semi-essential amino acid, arginine helps to boost metabolism and muscle growth while having an anti-inflammatory effect on the body. It can also improve blood vessel elasticity, enhance fat burning, reduce lactic acid buildup in exercising muscles, decrease blood pressure, and it plays an important role in the healing process.

3. Asparagine: Another semi-essential amino acid, asparagine aids in muscle functioning, protein synthesis, and wound healing. Additionally, studies suggest that it plays a role in protecting the nervous system from degenerative diseases like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. Finally, asparagine helps generate energy in cellular respiration.

4. Cysteine: An essential amino acid, cysteine helps repair damaged cells and tissues by maintaining glutathione levels, a power antioxidant compound. It can also aid in digestion and slow down signs of aging due to its protective effects against oxidative stress.

5. Glutamic Acid: This non-essential amino acid assists in hormone production, nerve stimulation, and healthy brain function along with being involved in various metabolic pathways. Aside from that, it has been linked to increasing lean muscle mass, controlling food cravings, regulating blood sugar levels, aiding in cognitive development, and improving performance during physical activity.

6. Glycine: A minor but important amino acid, glycine plays a vital role in many bodily processes including producing hormones and neurotransmitters, synthesizing fatty acids and DNA/RNA molecules, and transmitting signals from neurons to the rest of the body. It also supports healthy joints by reducing inflammation and encourages proper sleep cycle balance by calming neurotransmitter activity.

7. Histidine: One essential amino acid, histidine is involved in several processes, especially those concerning immune system defense. Also, it participates in creating red and white blood cells, manufacturing enzymes, healing wounds, delivering nutrients to cells, providing energy during protein synthesis, and conducting electrical impulses throughout the body.

8. Isoleucine: This branched-chain essential amino acid is essentially responsible for providing endurance and strength support during both short and long term physical activities. Isoleucine also contributes to hemoglobin formation, stimulating energy production, balancing blood sugar levels, and helping heal skin wounds.

9. Leucine: The most abundantbranched-chained amino acid, leucine offers numerous bioactive benefitssuch asimproving athletic endurance andperformance, maintaining healthy bonesand muscles, speeding up woundhealing, reviving brain function, andsuppressing appetite. Furthermore,studies have proventhat leucineacts asa natural booster forthe bodysgrowth hormone.

10. Lysine: Another essential amino acid, lysine has multiple propertiesincluding stabilizing saturated mineralsfor enhanced Calcium absorption,supporting good circulation, andpreventing heart disease. Additionally,it appears to speed up recovery frominjuries, increase libido, and fightsigns of facial hair in women dueto hormonal imbalances. Finally,lysine maintainsimmune systemdefense.

11. Phenylalanine:Thisnon-essential aminoacidplaysan important part insustainingmusclefunctionandsupportsproper thyroidhormonebalance.It'salsoinvolvedincreatingdopamineandotherneurotransmitterswhich helpsmaintainhealthybrainfunction.Moreover,phenylalaninemayhelpreduceappetite,aidindigestion,improvebettermoodregulation,promotemaintenceoffair, lighterhaircolor, andcombatacnesymptoms.

12. Proline: Among the 20 amino acids, proline is among the least understood however it is necessary for forming strong connective tissues, cartilage, skin, and tendons. It also helps grow collagen and elastin for healthier looking skin, provides protection for joints and organs, repairs skeletal muscles post-workout, and helps keep water out of lungs during breathing.

13. Serine:An essential amino acid, serine is required for many crucial tasks such as protein synthesis, digestive enzyme secretion, and constructing cell membranes. It aids in bodily growth, enhances mental alertness and acuity, increases energy levels, improves mood swings, relieves anxiety, and facilitates communication between cells.

14. Threonine:Anotherimportantaminoacid,threonineisextremelyusefulfortransformingcarbohydratesintoenergyinaSimilarwaytoasparticacid.Asidefromperformingmetabolicfunctions,threoninesupportsskeletalgrowthbyrepairingbones,ligaments,skin,nails,arteries,cartilage,andhearttissues.Also,ithastheimportanttaskofregulatingcentralnervoussystemactivitybyaidingintheproductionofserotonin–knownasthe"happyhormone."

15. Tryptophan:Thisessentiallargehydrophobicitaminacidistheprimarybuildingblockoftwoimportantmetabolites–neurotransmitter serotonin,and melatonin–responsibleforcontrollingourwakeandroutinecycle.Inaddition,tryphtophanhasbeenfoundtosourceenzymesusedinbreathing,digesting,andbreakingdownACIDTINTHEbody.Finally,thisaminoacidcanalsoreduceinsomniasignswhileincreasingthequalityofsleep.

16. Valine:Thisbranched-chaiedessentialaminoacidhelpsmaximizeendurancesupportduringbothlongtermandaerobicfitnessactivities.Furthermore,valinemechesintegrityofstructurecellsalessteadystreamenergythroughoutbodilyprocesses.Additionally, thistinycompoundisincludedinquickeningwoundshealing,calminganxietyattacks,elevatingmentalclarity,brighteningskintones,andstimulatingefficientlyafterexercisesession.

Conclusion

As you can see, there is a wide variety of amino acids present in mamey sapote, some more than others. Each one of them brings something different to the table when it comes to nutrition and overall health benefits, making this exotic fruit incredibly valuable. We hope this article shed some light into the subject so you now have a better understanding of why including mamey sapote into your diet could yield great rewards.