# @seed on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/CPa_vi7Jd1V
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/34246959-seed-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/36f3e55cb6.jpg
- **Posted:** 2021-05-28T15:33:38.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** Seed (@seed) — https://gondola.cc/seed

## Caption

Magic coming your way—name the micro-builder pictured above 🔬

When we think of protein, we think shakes, whey, a big steak—but plants are an abundant source of protein too 🌱

Back up. What even is protein?

Proteins are macronutrients made of varying combinations of amino acids linked together by peptide bonds.¹ 

The word protein originated from the Greek word “proteios”, meaning prime or primary. Because proteins are found in almost every tissue in humans (and animals), we can think of proteins as primary building blocks of our bodies. 

When we eat protein, it is broken down into its constituent amino acids during digestion. These amino acids are then reassembled into new proteins that serve a variety of functions in the body—including growing and maintaining tissues, hormone signaling, and enzymatic reactions. 

But the gains don’t end there. Enter: your microbes (your invisible workout partners) 💪 

Like carbohydrates, protein is also fermented by your gut bacteria.²  In fact, protein serves as a major source of nitrogen for microbial growth in the colon, and it is essential to the production of beneficial products like short chain fatty acids (SCFAs)—a powerful and multifaceted metabolite with functions ranging from intestinal barrier support to immune regulation.³

The great news about proteins—we can get them from a variety of Inputs. Whether that’s a handful of almonds, a fresh piece of fish, or even a #ScienceSmoothie 😉

Swipe for a roundup of powerful plant proteins. 

And don’t forget to drop your microscopy guesses for the image above in the comments ✨

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¹ Wu G. Dietary protein intake and human health. Food Funct. 2016 Mar;7(3):1251-65. doi: 10.1039/c5fo01530h. PMID: 26797090.
² Conlon, M. A., & Bird, A. R. (2014). The impact of diet and lifestyle on gut microbiota and human health. Nutrients, 7(1), 17–44. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu7010017
³ Tan J, McKenzie C, Potamitis M, Thorburn AN, Mackay CR, Macia L. The role of short-chain fatty acids in health and disease. Adv Immunol. 2014;121:91-119. doi: 10.1016/B978-0-12-800100-4.00003-9.

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## Tags

sciencesmoothie

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