Did you know that whole grains are the leading source of proteins in the worldwide human diet? It is a common misconception that grains only give us carbohydrates like fiber. However, fitness fanatics will jump at the chance to point out that this is a plant-based protein, but will anyone explain the difference?
Furthermore, rarely anyone knows what our bodies need protein for. Everyone will tell you it builds muscle, but that is so narrow-minded that it is better to be wrong than to know only that. Let’s check what are proteins, plant-based proteins, and what we need them for.
What are proteins?
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Protein nutrients are the building blocks for our bodies, but they can also be fuel. They can provide the same energy as carbohydrates. Their most defining attribute is amino acid composition.
Now, we break down these chains of amino acids during digestion, because absorption cannot happen otherwise. Our body can synthesize most of those amino acids, but it needs outside sources for the rest.
Plant proteins serve the exact same purpose for our bodies as animal proteins do. But, unlike animal proteins, plant proteins are easily metabolized. This is better because the strain on the human body is lesser.
To metabolize something, the human body must spend vitamins, minerals, and other nutritional matter. It is what it is there for. The easier the food gets metabolized, the less we spend and we are better off. But, additionally, the easier it is to metabolize something, the easier it is to use it in its entirety.
The Spruce Eats / Julia Hartbeck
Our body does not process meat protein entirely as it cannot do so in an optimal way. We can survive on animal protein and we can utilize it occasionally. But, it is not our ideal food. This is confirmed by numerous studies and information sources, like PETA for example.
These studies observe not only what happens with animal-based food that we consume in our bodies. They also observe our teeth, jaw, nails, and other things. For example, carnivorous animals have claws and large canine sharp teeth. They also do not chew food but swallow whole chunks they bite off.
Carnivores also have shorter bowels so the meat is kept less and is metabolized faster, so it wouldn’t spoil in their bowels. We, humans, on the other hand, do not have large and sharp canine teeth. We got no claws but soft fingernails, and the one fang we have is for some tougher plans.
We can survive on animal protein. Humans are highly adaptable for sure. But, it is not our optimal source of nutrition and is not good for us long term. Increasing the intake of whole grains is the best way to get the highest quality protein the body needs.
