Amino Acids for Functional Foods

Amino acids have several roles, including enhancing the flavor of food, regulating physiological functions in the body, and restoring nutrients that promote growth and development. As research into the physiological functions of various amino acids continues to progress, amino acids are increasingly recognized as both nutrients and functional ingredients. Their applications in functional foods, such as sports nutrition and immune health, are continually being explored. In recent years, the market for functional foods that supplement insufficient amino acids in the diet or utilize the inherent functionality of amino acids has been expanding.

What are Functional Foods?

Functional foods are foods that provide specific health benefits beyond basic nutrition. They contain particular functional ingredients that can regulate bodily functions, such as boosting immunity or improving sleep. The concept originated in Japan, where in 1987 the government first introduced the idea of functional foods—foods that have physiological benefits and special effects that can improve human health. Functional foods can be categorized into nutrient supplements, specific functional foods, and traditional health tonics. These include categories such as oral beauty products, fatigue relievers, detox and slimming products, disease prevention, body rhythm regulation, and functional enhancement. In terms of form, functional foods are primarily available as gummies, jellies, beverages, protein bars, freeze-dried products, etc., designed to provide efficacy while maximizing consumer satisfaction in terms of taste and convenience.

Fig. 1. Functional foods.

Functional Foods Examples

Functional foods typically contain ingredients with health benefits, such as vitamins, amino acids, minerals, phytochemicals, dietary fibers, and probiotics, which can promote health, prevent diseases, or improve physical performance through daily consumption. Below are some common examples of functional foods:

Advantages of Functional Foods

Functional foods not only meet daily nutritional needs but also play an active role in improving specific health conditions, boosting immune function, and promoting metabolism. As consumer awareness of health increases, functional foods are becoming more popular, and their range of applications is expanding to areas such as anti-aging, weight loss, cardiovascular health improvement, and regulating gut microbiota.

• Immune-Boosting: Foods containing nutrients like vitamins C, D, and zinc help enhance the body's resistance. Probiotic and prebiotic products can regulate gut flora and strengthen intestinal immunity. Foods rich in antioxidants, such as blueberries and green tea, reduce free radical damage and improve immune function.
• Sleep Improvement: Foods containing ingredients like melatonin and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) help regulate sleep cycles and improve sleep quality. Some traditional herbs with calming effects, such as sour jujube seeds and lily bulbs, can be used to make functional foods that alleviate insomnia symptoms.
• Gut Health Regulation: High-fiber foods, like whole wheat bread and oatmeal, promote bowel movement and prevent constipation. Fermented foods, such as yogurt containing probiotics and prebiotics, help maintain a balanced gut microbiota. Functional oligosaccharides, such as fructooligosaccharides and inulin, act as prebiotics to promote gut health.
• Blood Lipid Reduction: Foods rich in unsaturated fatty acids, such as fish oil and olive oil, can lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the blood. Plant sterols and soy isoflavones are known to reduce blood lipid levels. Dietary fibers like oat β-glucan can absorb cholesterol and reduce its absorption in the intestine.
• Anti-Fatigue: Beverages containing caffeine and taurine can refresh the mind and alleviate fatigue. Foods rich in B vitamins and iron help improve the body's energy metabolism and reduce feelings of fatigue. Traditional herbs like ginseng and maca can serve as functional food ingredients to enhance physical strength and combat fatigue.

What are Amino Acids?

Amino acids are one of the many bioactive macromolecules that make up biological organisms. They are organic compounds containing both an amino group and a carboxyl group, and they are the foundational building blocks for constructing cells and repairing tissues. Amino acids not only synthesize basic proteins but also produce antibodies, enzymes, and hormones to maintain and regulate metabolism. Due to their indispensable properties, the demand for amino acids in applications such as pharmaceuticals, food, and nutritional supplements has been steadily increasing in recent years. Currently, more than 100 amino acids are known and isolated from various natural sources, but only around 20 amino acids make up human proteins. Although the number of amino acids required by the human body is small, they are capable of forming over 100,000 types of proteins. From a synthesis perspective, amino acids are divided into essential amino acids and non-essential amino acids. Essential amino acids cannot be synthesized by the human body or are synthesized at a very slow rate, so they must be obtained through food intake to meet metabolic needs.

Amino Acid Functional Foods

In the food industry, amino acids have a wide range of applications. One of the most common amino acid products is monosodium glutamate (MSG), which is used as a flavor enhancer and as a nutritional fortifier or functional food additive. In the field of functional foods, non-essential amino acids have become the main focus of development. In the amino acid market, in addition to the nine essential amino acids and the common eleven non-essential amino acids mentioned above, there are also free amino acids such as citrulline, GABA, hydroxyproline, creatine, and other amino acid analogs or non-protein amino acid compounds. In terms of forms, amino acid nutritional supplements are available as tablets, capsules, etc., making it convenient for individuals to supplement according to their specific needs. There are also functional drinks with added amino acids, which are suitable for post-exercise hydration or daily nutrient supplementation. Additionally, some functional snacks, such as protein bars containing amino acids, are being developed to meet consumer demands for both taste and nutritional function. From a functional perspective, some immune-boosting functional foods include specific combinations of amino acids to help the body synthesize immune-related proteins, while sleep-improving functional foods may use amino acids to regulate neurotransmitters.

Amino Acids Functional Food Ingredients

BOC Sciences has extensive experience in providing high-quality amino acid raw materials, particularly in the field of functional foods. We are committed to offering high-purity, stable-performance amino acids to support the research and production of functional foods based on customer needs. We offer a wide range of amino acids, including essential amino acids, non-essential amino acids, and their derivatives, covering everything from basic amino acids to specialized functional ingredients with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immune-regulating properties. With advanced production processes and strict quality control systems, BOC Sciences ensures that all products meet industry standards and satisfy the high-quality requirements of functional food raw materials. Furthermore, we provide custom synthesis services, helping customers tailor amino acid ingredients to meet specific formulation requirements and cater to personalized market needs.

What are Functional Foods Used For?

In recent years, amino acid-based functional foods have gained widespread attention and shown significant application potential in areas such as sports nutrition, sleep promotion, immune enhancement, and skin care. As the basic building blocks of proteins, amino acids not only play a crucial role in human physiological functions but also serve as key ingredients in functional foods due to their various biological effects. Specific application scenarios include:

• Sports Nutrition

Glutamine, Branched-Chain Amino Acids (L-Leucine, L-Isoleucine, L-Valine), Arginine

Amino acids are among the most widely used and mature ingredients in sports nutrition. During exercise, muscle protein synthesis and breakdown occur continuously. Proper supplementation of amino acids, especially branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs, such as leucine, isoleucine, and valine), can effectively promote muscle recovery and reduce post-exercise muscle soreness. BCAAs help reduce exercise-induced muscle damage by regulating protein synthesis and breakdown. They also delay the onset of fatigue by lowering tryptophan levels in the blood, which reduces serotonin levels in the brain. Additionally, L-arginine and other amino acids play important roles in improving athletic performance, enhancing blood flow, and facilitating oxygen supply to muscles.

• Sleep Promotion

Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA), Tryptophan, Glycine

The role of amino acids in promoting sleep has increasingly gained attention. L-Tryptophan is an amino acid that has a positive impact on sleep quality. Tryptophan is a precursor to melatonin, a key hormone that regulates the sleep-wake cycle. Supplementing with L-tryptophan can help improve sleep quality, especially for those suffering from sleep disorders due to stress or insomnia. Tryptophan increases serotonin levels in the brain, which is further converted into melatonin, helping to regulate sleep rhythms and improve sleep onset and depth. Additionally, other amino acids such as GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) help promote relaxation and reduce anxiety, indirectly supporting better sleep.

• Immune Enhancement

Arginine, Lysine, Methionine, Glutamine

The health of the immune system is vital for maintaining the body's resistance to illness, and certain amino acids play important roles in immune regulation. For example, glutamine is a crucial amino acid for immune cell function. It serves as the primary energy source for immune cells, especially T cells and macrophages, enhancing immune responses. Supplementing glutamine can improve immunity and aid recovery in individuals with weakened immune systems. Additionally, arginine has been shown to support immune function by enhancing the activity of white blood cells and promoting the immune system's ability to combat pathogens. Supplementing these amino acids not only boosts immunity but can also help alleviate diseases and symptoms associated with immune dysfunction.

• Skin Care

Citrulline, Serine, Arginine, Ornithine

Amino acids also have widespread applications in beauty and skin care, primarily through promoting collagen synthesis, providing antioxidant effects, and repairing the skin barrier. Collagen is the foundation of skin elasticity and structure, and amino acids like glycine, proline, and lysine are key components in collagen synthesis. Supplementing these amino acids can help promote collagen production, improving skin firmness and elasticity while slowing down the aging process. Additionally, amino acids can neutralize free radicals through their antioxidant properties, mitigating the skin damage caused by UV rays, pollution, and other external factors. Common amino acid ingredients in skin care products include squalane, alanine, and aspartic acid, which help repair damaged skin barriers, improve skin hydration, and maintain overall skin health.

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