High-glutamine foods are good for the intestinal tract, help to promote good acid-base balance and assist the body In producing glutathione, an important antioxidant nutrient.

Good glutamine food sources include:

• fish
• dairy products
• cabbage
• beetroot
• beef
• chicken and beans.

You might need more of it if you’ve had severe burns, muscle-wasting – for example, the elderly or those with AIDS – or if you do regular high-intensity workouts or play sport.

You’re not ever likely to be glutamine deficient, as it’s the most abundant amino acid in the body. And it’s hard to overdose on glutamine if it’s sourced from food alone.

Even supplementation of up to 10g a day has been shown to be safe. However, those who are sensitive to monosodium glutamate or MSG, which is found in processed foods, may want to avoid glutamine supplements – in their case it can have an adverse effect.