What is the importance of protein for the body?

What is protein?

Protein is a nutrient your body needs to grow, repair and function properly. Protein is found in a wide range of foods and it is important that you get enough protein in your diet every day. The amount of protein you need in your diet varies depending on your weight, gender, age, health and activity.

Proteins are made up of amino acids:

There are about 20 different amino acids that are linked together in different groups. Your body uses them to make new proteins, such as muscle and bone, and other compounds such as enzymes and hormones. It can also be used as a source of energy.

What are amino acids made of?

Each amino acid consists of an amino group and a carboxyl group. These acids are involved in the formation of proteins, whether animal or vegetable. Most proteins found in food, with the exception of gelatin, are characterized by the presence of a certain percentage of each of these acids. .

There are some foods that contain essential amino acids:

They contain animal products (such as chicken, beef, fish, and dairy products) and are called “complete proteins” because they are of animal origin.

It contains soy products, quinoa, seeds of green leaves, and legumes such as (beans, lentils, beans, nuts, and whole grains). It is more suitable for vegetarians. They are called “incomplete proteins” because they are of plant origin and have little nutritional value compared to “complete proteins.” Animal origin

People who follow a strict vegetarian or vegan diet need to choose a variety of protein sources from a range of plant foods every day to ensure they get the right mix of essential amino acids.

If you follow a vegetarian diet, you can usually get the protein you need from incomplete protein. For example, a meal containing grains and legumes, such as baked beans on whole-grain toast, provides all the essential amino acids found in a typical meat dish.

There are people who suffer from anemia, and not every “anaemia” means a lack of blood, but there is protein anemia (protein deficiency), but it is not very common in the Arab world. Protein deficiency means not getting enough protein in your diet.

People most susceptible to protein deficiency anemia:

the elderly.
People who follow a strict vegetarian diet.

Symptoms of protein deficiency include:

Wasting and shrinkage of muscle tissue.
Edema (a buildup of fluid, especially in the feet and ankles)
Anemia (inability of blood to deliver adequate oxygen to cells, usually caused by a deficiency in the diet such as iron deficiency).
Slow growth (in children).
Wounds do not heal quickly.

Protein bars are nutritional bars that contain a high percentage of protein, carbohydrates and fat.

What are protein bars?

Protein bars are nutritional bars that contain a high percentage of protein, carbohydrates and fat.

The nutritional composition of protein bars can vary greatly between brands and flavors.

This is largely due to their different components. Many protein bars can be made from dates, bananas, strawberries, dried fruits, nuts, seeds, and whole grains such as oats or quinoa.

An average protein bar contains 5-15g of fat, 25-45g of carbohydrates, and 5-10g of fiber.

It also contains many vitamins, such as vitamin D, vitamin B6, and vitamin B9 (folic acid), which is important for the manufacture of red blood cells.

Many protein bars also contain high amounts of added sugar and use unhealthy sweeteners like high fructose corn syrup, which increases the risk of liver damage, obesity and diabetes when consumed in large quantities.

In general, most protein bars offer 150-400 calories and 10-30g of protein, although some contain closer to 30g of protein per serving.

Some protein bars contain yoghurt powder, milk or dairy proteins such as casein, while others use plant sources such as soybeans, peas and brown rice.

Some contain egg whites, while others rely on nuts and seeds as their primary source of protein.

Nutritional value of protein bars:

Protein bars are aimed at people who primarily want a convenient source of protein that requires no preparation (unless it's home-made). There are different types of food bars to fill the feeling of hunger. Protein bars are usually lower in carbohydrates than energy bars, and contain nutritional vitamins and minerals. These bars also contain plant proteins such as pea, brown rice and soybeans, so protein bars are a great way to help supplement your diet, especially if you are an athlete and gain weight. Your protein needs or you may have trouble getting enough protein in your diet, and this may be a suitable solution even if you are a vegetarian.

Protein bars mainly target athletes or exercise enthusiasts to build muscle, as they need a higher percentage of protein to bulk up muscles and reduce body mass lost during weight loss, and it is generally known that protein after exercise helps build muscle.

What's more, they're also a convenient snack option that you can bring almost anywhere, whether you're at work, traveling, or just out and about in general.

Therefore, protein bars are mainly useful for:

Increase lean mass and gain muscle.
Gives a feeling of strength.
Helps with recovery after intense exercise.
Reducing sugar intake.
Preventing the feeling of hunger because it gives a constant feeling of fullness.
Helps in losing weight.
A versatile snack anywhere.

The daily protein requirement varies from person to person based on several factors, including:

Gender Male Female)
height
the weight
Health status
The nature of daily activity

According to the US National Institutes of Health, the average adult needs 46 g of protein per day for women, and 56 g for men

For athletes, it is recommended to eat approximately 1.2-1.4 grams per kilogram of body weight for athletes who practice resistance training, while for those who practice strength training, their need ranges between 1.4-1.8 grams per kilogram of body weight daily.

But it must be taken into account that there are many types of protein bars with added sugar, artificial sweeteners, and other additives, which may cancel out many of the potential health benefits that they have to offer. Therefore, the correct type of protein bar must be chosen before purchasing it and if you want to enjoy the benefits. In protein bars, you should choose (Queen Bar - Whey Bar - Zero Bar).

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