In recent years, liquid amino acids have gained a lot of popularity. Amino acids and the bottled liquid aminos substitute have a similar taste. Amino acids are known as the building blocks of protein. The body is capable of preparing 11 out of 20 that are known to exist, but the remaining essential ones are derived from food. Liquid aminos recipes(1) are oneway to go about this, but the other alternative is eating protein in general. It is recommended for vegetarians as it is challenging to get all of these from a meat-free diet.
One tsp of Liquid Aminos serves the following nutrition.
Calories | 0 |
Total Fat | 0 |
Trans Fat | 0 |
Cholesterol | 0 mg |
Sodium | 320 mg |
Total Carbohydrates | 100 mg |
Protein | 0.5 mg |
Vitamin A | 0 % |
Vitamin C | 0 % |
Calcium | 0 % |
Iron | 0 % |
Amino acids are needed by the body to build muscle, regulate gene expression, signaling of the cells, and immunity. The two types of amino acids are essential and non-essential. As the body can produce non-essential amino acids, essential amino acids(2) can be sourced from the diet. Liquid aminos benefit as it contains both the primary and non-essential amino acids which have a critical role to play in the body.
Liquid aminos vs. soy sauce- Soy sauce is prepared to ferment the soybeans that are cooked and then roasted with salt, water, wheat, and yeast until a creamy sauce is formed.
While liquid aminos are prepared by mixing hydrolyzed soybeans with water, it results in a gluten-free product.
It is an excellent alternative for people who are allergic to gluten or follow a gluten-free diet as 5%of the world are unable to consume soy sauce duet to gluten disorders.
The bottled and commercialized soy sauces contain sodium benzoate. It is a preservative that is added to foods to increase their shelf life and prevents the growth of bacteria and fungi. It is known to have triggered allergies in many. It also causes hives, swelling, itching, and a runny nose.
As liquid aminos are natural, it doesn’t contain chemical preservatives and makes for a better choice for people allergic to soy sauce.
Liquid aminos consist of natural glutamate as the protein from the soybeans is broken down, and they stimulate an umami flavor taste and make food enjoyable. Umami is known to have the five significant sensations of taste that are sweet, salty, bitter, and sour. When glutamic acid, an amino acid commonly found in proteins, breaks down free glutamate is formed.
Studies show that consuming umami flavored soups before a meal helps to reduce hunger and binge-eating.
Soy sauce is the one with a richer taste, while liquid aminos are bitter and sweet. The soy-based liquid aminos are high In sodium and is formed while processed compared to the coconut aminos where sea salt is added. As it is gluten-free, it is a better choice as it doesn’t become very salty.
Some exciting ways to use them is to
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It is recommended that you stock your liquid aminos in your kitchen to enhance the healthy flavors, especially if you’re vegetarian. A lot of athletes and bodybuilders have made this food a part of their diet because of the benefits. People also use liquid aminos for hair, as the amino acids produce keratin naturally in the body, which promotes better hair growth.
Both are gluten-free, but the latter contains around 320 gm of sodium in 5 ml of serving compared to the 90 gm coconut aminos has to offer.
You don’t need to refrigerate it. It must be stored in the dark away from sunlight and consume in a few months.