L-Alanyl-L-cystine is a dipeptide composed of alanine and L-cystine, and it has various applications in functional beverages. The following is a detailed introduction:
I. Providing Nutrition
Amino Acid Supplementation: L-Alanyl-L-cystine can be decomposed into alanine and cystine in the human body. Both of these amino acids are important nutrients for the human body. Alanine can provide energy for the body and participate in physiological processes such as sugar metabolism. Cystine, on the other hand, can be used for protein synthesis and is an important component of tissues such as hair and skin, helping to maintain the normal physiological functions of the body and tissue repair.
Enhancing Nutrient Absorption: As a nutrient in the form of a dipeptide, L-Alanyl-L-cystine has a faster absorption rate and higher absorption efficiency in the intestine compared to single amino acids. It can more effectively supplement the body with the necessary amino acids, improving the nutritional supplementation effect of functional beverages.
II. Antioxidant Effect
Enhancing Antioxidant Capacity: The sulfhydryl group in cystine has strong reducing properties, endowing L-Alanyl-L-cystine with certain antioxidant properties. It can scavenge free radicals in the body, reduce the damage of free radicals to cells, and contribute to delaying aging and enhancing immunity. In functional beverages, it can enhance the antioxidant performance of the beverages, providing antioxidant protection for consumers.
Protecting Other Ingredients: Functional beverages usually contain various nutrients and active substances, such as vitamin C, vitamin E, etc. These ingredients are prone to oxidation and loss of activity. The antioxidant effect of L-Alanyl-L-cystine can protect these ingredients, prevent them from being oxidized, extend the shelf life of functional beverages, and maintain the quality and efficacy of the beverages.
III. Promoting Exercise Recovery
Reducing Muscle Fatigue: During exercise, a large amount of lactic acid is produced in the muscles, leading to muscle fatigue and soreness. Alanyl-L-cystine can participate in the metabolic processes in the body, promote the decomposition and excretion of lactic acid, reduce the accumulation of lactic acid in the muscles, thereby relieving muscle fatigue and helping athletes recover their physical strength more quickly.
Enhancing Muscle Repair: After exercise, the muscle tissue is damaged to a certain extent and requires repair and reconstruction. The amino acids provided by alanyl-L-cystine are important raw materials for muscle protein synthesis, helping to promote the synthesis of muscle protein, accelerate muscle repair and growth, assist athletes in restoring muscle function more quickly, and improve the recovery effect after exercise.
IV. Improving Taste and Flavor
Regulating Taste: L-Alanyl-L-cystine itself has a certain umami taste, which can add a unique flavor to functional beverages and improve the taste of the beverages. It can interact with other ingredients in the beverages to regulate the overall taste of the beverages, making it richer and more balanced, and enhancing the consumers' drinking experience.
Masking Unpleasant Odors: Some functional beverages may contain ingredients with special odors, such as certain vitamins, minerals, or plant extracts, which may produce some unpleasant odors. L-Alanyl-L-cystine can, to a certain extent, mask these unpleasant odors, making the odor of the beverages more pleasant and improving the acceptability of the beverages.
