BCAA (Brained Chains Amino Acids), or branched chain amino acids, are an essential supplement for any athlete seeking to maximize athletic performance and better recovery. To make your shopping easier and save you some time, we bring you a ranking of the best instantBCAAs on the market, where we share with you our experience, take into account the reviews on our website and compare the price and quality of each supplement. So without further ado, let's get straight to the point.
The 10 best BCAAs based on testing
| Ranking | Image | Product | Main advantages | Price | Information |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. |
|
Prom-IN BCAA Synergy | 29 calories, 9 flavours available, 5g BCAAs | $28,76 | Best price More information Reviews |
| 2. |
|
Scitec Nutrition BCAA Xpress | 21 calories, 7 flavours, 5g BCAAs | $27,96 | Best price More information |
| 3. |
|
Czech Virus Nano BCAA | 17 calories, 3 flavours, 4g BCAAs | $33,56 | Best price More information Reviews |
| 4. |
|
Extrifit BCAA Instant | 22 calories, 9 flavours, 5g BCAAs | $21,75 | Best price More information |
| 5. |
|
Amix BCAA Micro Instant Juice | 31 calories, 10 perfect flavours, 7g BCAAs | $21,96 | Best price More information |
| 6. |
|
Extrifit AminoFree Peptides | 57 calories, 4 flavours available, 5g BCAAs | $31,16 | Best price More information |
| 7. |
|
BiotechUSA BCAA Flash Zero | 30 calories, 13 flavours available, 6g BCAAs | $19,33 | Best price More information |
| 8. |
|
Reflex Nutrition BCAA Intra Fusion | 73 calories, 2 flavours, 10g BCAAs | $17,56 | Best price More information |
| 9. |
|
Prom-IN Intra Amino | 37 calories, 3 flavours, 6g BCAAs | $28,76 | Best price More information Reviews |
| 10. |
|
Nu3tion BCAA Instant | 20 calories, 3 flavours, 4.9g BCAAs | $15,96 | Best price More information |
Detailed BCAA comparison
Without any discussions we can say that BCAA Synergy from Prom-In is the best instant BCAA on the market.
Thanks to 5g of branched chain amino acids, 2g of glutamine and 3g of A-AKG in each dose you will achieve maximum recovery after training, safeprotect your muscle mass from catabolisation in critical situations and improve your performance in training.
Thanks to its high leucine content, it will improve post-workout protein synthesis and vitamin B6 will also support the absorption of all active ingredients into the body. When you add to all this the unbeatable price, you get the best BCAAs on the market.
Benefits:
- Maximum concentration of active ingredients
- Supports growth hormone production
- Improvement of proteosynthesis and recovery
- 10g of active ingredients in each dose
- Unbeatable price
- Minimum calories
Disadvantages:
- Only available in two sizes- 11g and 550g
About the Manufacturer:
BCAA Synergy is manufactured by Prom-In, a seasoned company that has been in the Czech market since 1976. Their products have undergone many reforms since their inception to suit all athletes and contain no unnecessary or ineffective substances. In the sales you can get all the products of this company for really great prices.
What BCAA Synergy contains:
- 2500mg of leucine to maintain proper blood glucose levels and proper muscle protein synthesis
- 1250mg of isoleucine for increased endurance and better muscle tissue healing
- 1250mg of valine to positively influence the elasticity of animal tissue fibres
- 2000mg of glutamine for improved growth hormone production, prevention of overtraining and immune system support
- 3000mg A-AKG to maximize NO production in the body and improve muscle protein synthesis
Final Summary:
These complex amino acids are the best possible supplement of its kind. For a very affordable price you get an extremely high quality dietary supplement with flavor balanced flavors. BCAA Synergy also faces very positive reviews on our website. If you scroll down our rankings a few positions, you'll find that amino acids from Prom-In are in our rankings once again.
Based on your reviews and our extensive experience with these supplements, we are not afraid toto call Prom-In the best brand of BCAAs available in our area.
Added on 25.4.2018.
BCAA Xpress is a specially formulated blend of the amino acids leucine, isoleucine and valine in an optimal 2:1:1 ratio.
With 5g of BCAAs in each dose , you will achieve maximum recovery, increase your performance and endurance atYou'll also boost your immune system and restore your body's energy reserves.
Suitable dosing is before training, after training and it is even possible to take a weak solution during training.
Benefits:
- Strengthen your immune system
- High concentration of amino acids in each dose
- Available in 7 flavor-balanced flavors
- Induces positive nitrogen balance
- Supports collagen formation in cartilaginous tissues
Disadvantages:
- Only one pack size - 500g for natural and 700g for flavoured
- Higher price
About the Manufacturer:
Scitec Nutrition is a very popular German company that has been on the market since 1996. They specialize in the production of supplements (food supplements) for top and professional athletes of all sectors. Besides nutritional supplements, you will also find in the SciTec repertoire functional clothing with a wide range of uses, which the manufacturer develops itself.
What BCAA Xpress contains:
- 2500mg of leucine for proper proteosynthesis
- 1250mg of isoleucine to boost the immune system and maximize recovery
- 1250mg of valine to protect muscle mass
Final Summary:
With the maximum concentration of active ingredients, BCAA Xpress is the right supplement for every athlete who wants only the best for themselves.
With seven absolutely delicious flavours, you will love this product and look forward to every dose.
Another great advantage is the option to order the unflavored flavor, which contains 100% BCAAs - no additives, no dyes, no flavourings - just a natural and healthy product at the lowest possible price.
NANO BCAAs from Czech Virus are a revolutionary product on the market.
The new instant form ensures perfect solubility, stability and absorption into the body. All the amino acids obtained are from natural sources and are obtained by a health-safe fermentation process.
Each batch is tested for banned substances and is therefore also suitable for professional athletes who undergo anti-doping tests. Thanks to the smaller particles, the amino acids are also absorbed more quickly into the body.
Benefits:
- 100% natural fermentation from plant sources
- Also suitable for vegans
- Highest purity without undesirable substances
- Maximum support for muscle fibre regeneration
Disadvantages:
- High price
- Availability in only 3 flavours
About the Manufacturer:
NANO BCAA is manufactured by the well-known company Czech Virus, which was made famous by the controversial bodybuilder Filip Grznár and his sparring partner Pavel Beran. Ever since 2012, when the first idea was born in the minds of the creators, the company has prided itself on quality products without unnecessary chemistry. All the raw materials used by Czech Virus in the production of its products originate in the EU and are completely transparent. No patented mixtures, unclear ingredients or unnecessary fillers.
What NANO BCAA product contains:
- 2000mg of leucine to maintain proper blood glucose levels and proper muscle protein synthesis
- 1000mg of isoleucine for increased endurance and better muscle tissue healing
- 1000mg of valine to positively influence the elasticity of fibers from animal tissues
Final Summary:
NANO BCAAs are fully instant amino acids available in three great tasting and balanced flavours.
It offers maximum concentration of amino acids and minimum unnecessary substances. In a 5g serving you will find over 4g of amino acids.
If you have no problem investing more money in supplements and have a 100% quality guarantee, then these BCAAs are for you.
Edit 26.7. - We have just published a detailed review for Nano BCAA by Czech Virus, you can read it here.
Instant BCAAs in the optimal 2:1:1 ratio from Extrifit are a very practical supplement suitable for even the most demanding athletes.
Thanks to the revolutionary free form of amino acids , this cocktail can be enjoyed during training in 9 different flavours. Thanks to these instant amino acids, your muscles are no longer at risk of protein catabolism and you will also maximize recovery after hard workouts.
Benefits:
- Ideal amino acids for your diet
- Minimum carbohydrates and no fat
- Maximize recovery
- Improved proteosynthesis
- 9 refreshing flavours
Disadvantages:
- High price
- Only one pack size- 300g
About the Manufacturer:
Extrifit has been on the market since 2007 and in that time has become the leading sports nutrition manufacturer in the Czech Republic.All the supplements offered are specially developed to suit all strength athletes and bodybuilders.
The company's vision is to produce supplements that will effectively support the growth of muscle mass and strength and effectively fight subcutaneous fat. All the supplements are tested by sponsored athletes - the absolute top of the sport - before they are launched.Vojtěch Koritenský, Tomáš Kašpar, Vlastimil Kužel and others.
What BCAA instant product contains:
- 2500mg of l-leucine for proper proteosynthesis, maintaining blood glucose levels, anti-catabolic effects. It also regulates blood sugar levels and contributes to the production of growth hormone.
- 1250mg of l-isoleucine for increased muscle tissue resistance and healing.
- 1250mg of l-valine for improved fiber elasticity in human tissues. Valine also supports the effects of leucine and isoleucine.
Final summary:
If you're looking for the right thing to support recovery, improve protein synthesis and protect muscle mass, or just enjoy a hot summer BCAA Instant is the right choice for you.
Again, however, you have to be willing to pay extra for adequate quality.
BCAA Micro Instant Juice is a highly concentrated form of branched chain amino acids specially formulated for the preparation of a perfectly soluble, tasty and refreshing drink.
Leucine, Isoleucine and Valine are represented in a 2:1:1 ratio, which is the optimal ratio for maximum recovery of muscle fibres damaged after a hard workout.
With 10 fully instant and flavour-balanced flavours, you'll absolutely love these branched chain amino acids! You won't find a better refreshment for hot summer days.
Benefits:
- A whole 7g of BCAAs in each serving
- Maximum recovery support
- Contains vitamin B6
- Minimal carbohydrates and fats
- High concentration of active ingredients
Disadvantages:
- Large amount of added substances
- Overpriced
About the Manufacturer:
Amix is one of Europe's most respected sports nutrition companies.
Amix is one of the world's most popular sports nutritionists, and has built all of its products on quality, earning the trust of many professional and amateur athletes. Amix also sponsors the leading Czech bodybuilder Milan Šádek or the great Slovak bikini Timea Trajtelová.
What BCAA Micro Instant contains:
- 3500mg of leucine for proper proteosynthesis and regulation of blood sugar levels in the body
- 1750mg of isoleucine for better healing of muscle tissues and their better resistance
- 1750mg of valine for increased leucine and isoleucine action and better elasticity of body tissues
Final summary:
If you're looking for quality amino acids that are not only maximally effective but also taste great, you can safely end your search. BCAA Micro Instant Juice is the right choice for you.
It contains a significant amount of "unnecessary" substances (anti-caking agents, thickeners, flavourings,...), which have no positive effect, but the BCAA content is still quite high and the product offers a high concentration.
Unfortunately, the price of this product is very inflated. But if you like to invest in yourself and don't mind paying extra for quality, you will hardly find better and tastier amino acids.
The sixth place in our ranking belongs to the second product from Extrifit, this time a product called Aminofree Peptides.
These are high quality amino acids, some of which are represented in the form of peptides, which are chemicallyhigher stability, digestibility and absorption compared to "ordinary" amino acids. In addition, you can enjoy this product in 4 different flavours.
Benefits:
- Minimal sugar and fat content
- Excellent digestibility
- Fast usability
- Unlike tablets, does not contain unnecessary binders
Disadvantages:
- One serving is 20g
- High price
- Only 20 doses per pack
About the Manufacturer:
Extrifit has been on the market since 2007 and has grown to become the leading manufacturer of sports nutrition in the Czech Republic. All the supplements offered are specially developed to suit all strength athletes and bodybuilders.
The company's vision is to produce supplements that will effectively support the growth of muscle mass and strength and effectively fight subcutaneous fat. All the supplements are tested by sponsored athletes - the absolute top of the sport - before they are launched.Vojtěch Koritenský, Tomáš Kašpar, Vlastimil Kužel and others.
What one dose (20g) of AminoFree peptides contains:
- 3000mg of glutamine for maximum pumping, proper functioning of the immune system and higher growth hormone production
- 4000mg of leucine for proper protein synthesis and blood sugar maintenance
- 500mg of isoleucine for increased endurance and better muscle fiber repair
- 500mg of valine for proper elasticity of muscle and joint fibers
- 1000mg of arginine for increased nitric oxide production and better muscle protein synthesis
This is just a list of the essentials. AminoFree Peptides otherwise offers a much more comprehensive amino spectrum, which you can view here.
Final summary:
AminoFree Peptides are great complex amino acids that have great usability, flawless solubility and last but not least a refreshing taste.
Personally, I consider the combination of amino acids and peptides to be a great advantage, which causes both higher stability and also maximizes the use of this supplement. Unfortunately, if you want to stick to the recommended dosage, you have to expect to pay quite a bit extra for them.
The seventh place in our ranking belongs to Flash Zero amino acids from the popular American company BiotechUSA.
These have a very good composition, the right ratio of branched chain amino acids (i.e. 2:1:1) and are also enriched with glutamine. You can choose from 13 available flavours and best of all, BCAA Flash Zero contain a minimum of calories and you won't find a gram of sugar or fat in them.
Benefits:
- They contain no sugar or fat
- Very concentrated formula
- Good price
- Sweetened with steviol glycosides
Disadvantages:
- Contains anti-caking agents and tartrazine
About the Manufacturer:
BioTech is one of the largest distributors of supplements ever. This company prides itself on multi-phase product testing to ensure its customersBioTech's products are designed to ensure that all products are of high quality and free of harmful additives. Products pass both European and American testing conditions so you can fully rely on the results.
What you will find in one serving (9g) of BCAA Flash Zero:
- 3000mg of leucine to kick-start protein synthesis and regulate blood glucose levels
- 1500mg of isoleucine to increase tissue resistance
- 1500mg of valine to positively influence the elasticity of joint and muscle fibres
- 1000mg of glutamine to maintain proper nitrogen balance in the body, increase production of anabolic hormones and prevent overtraining
Final summary:
From my point of view, this is a very good product that contains a concentrated formula of BCAAs and glutamine, plus you can choose from 13 flavours, so there really is one for everyone.
I think the overall impression is a little bit spoiled by the use of tartrazine, which has even been banned in some countries because it can causecan cause migraines, blurred vision and, according to some theories, can also adversely affect children's attention.
BCAA Intra Fusion is a completely unique intra training supplement of the highest quality, which supplies the body with glucolic amino acids and indispensable minerals.
Thanks to this (completely transparent) composition , you ensure optimal transmission of neuromuscular excitations to the body. The characteristic features of this product are high efficiency, maximum purity and easy digestibility.
Benefits:
- Very easy to digest
- Highest purity of the raw materials used
- Chelated bond between all available minerals
- Source of important amino acids
- High efficiency
- Maximum concentration
Disadvantages:
- Suitable only for training
- Only 2 flavours available
- High price
About the Manufacturer:
Reflex Nutrition has been on the market since 1996, and from the very beginning they have built all of their supplements on quality first.
All supplements undergo independent testing for banned substances and the actual protein content of each batch. All of the company's manufacturing technologies and pharmaceutical facilities are of the highest standard and therefore can be it is no exaggeration to say that Reflex Nutrition is the absolute top among sports nutrition manufacturers.
What BCAA Intra Fusion contains:
- 5000mg of l-leucine for proper proteosynthesis, maintenance of blood glucose levels, anti-catabolic effects. In addition, it also regulates blood sugar levels and is involved in the production of growth hormone
- 2500mg of l-isoleucine for increased muscle tissue resistance and healing
- 2500mg of l-valine for improved elasticity of fibers in human tissues. Valine also supports the effects of leucine and isoleucine
- 5000mg of l-glutamine for increased growth hormone levels and better recovery after a hard workout
- 16mg of ZMA for better muscle growth and fat reduction
- 3ug of selenium for protection against free radicals
- 32mg of potassium for proper heart function and internal environmental stability
- 0.3mg sodium for proper red blood cell production
Final Summary:
As usual with Reflex, you have to pay extra for quality goods.
If we ignore the high price, this is a product that is unrivalled in its category. We can highly recommend it for all athletes and strength athletes who strive for maximum performance andrecovery and at the same time want to provide the body with the necessary minerals during training.
Intra Amino is a drink composed of key amino acids, electrolytes and vitamins.
Thanks to its excellent composition and fast absorption, it is also suitable for all endurance or power-speed sports. It is fully soluble and contains only fermented amino acids of high quality.
The electrolytes contained in Intra Amino ensure perfect hydration during performance. Unfortunately, this product is only available in three flavours - pear, apple and red grapefruit.
Benefits:
- Provides a supply of key amino acids to every athlete's body
- Fully soluble
- Pleasant taste
- Only high quality and effective ingredients
- Great price
Disadvantages:
- Only 3 flavors available, which get tired rather quickly
- Low beta alanine and citrulline content relative to BCAAs
- Some substances have no justification in the product
About the Manufacturer:
Intra Amino is manufactured by Prom-In, a seasoned company that has been on the Czech market since 1976. Their products have undergone many reforms to suit all athletes and contain no unnecessary or ineffective substances.
In the sales you can get all the products of this company at really great prices.
What Intra Amino contains:
- 3000mg of leucine for proper protein synthesis and blood sugar regulation in the body
- 1500mg of isoleucine for better healing of muscle tissues and their better resistance
- 1500mg of valine for increased leucine and isoleucine action and better elasticity of body tissues
- 1000mg of citrulline malate for improved nitric oxide production and better muscle blood flow
- 1000mg of beta alanine for better concentration for training and a pleasant burning sensation in the limbs
- 300mg sodium citrate (E331) to prevent haemocoagulation
- 150mg potassium citrate (E332) to reduce stomach acidity
- 200mg vitamin C for a healthy immune system
- 3mg vitamin B6 for proper carbohydrate and protein metabolism
Final Summary:
Intra Amino is a relatively new product on the market. The idea of creating a product full of key amino acids that would be suitable for sports other than strength sports is definitely a good one.
However, there are ingredients in Intra Amino that have no place in a quality product. For example, sodium citrate is used as an acidity regulator in sodas and flavored beers and is a component of preservative solutions. According to some studies, it can be toxic in higher doses.
Potassium citrate is used as a stabiliser in confectionery, artificially sweetened jellies, etc. Although there are no health hazards in this product, they have no justification.
However, the combination of amino acids in the product is absolutely flawless and therefore we can recommend the product to all athletes who are engaged in endurance or speed disciplines.
BCAA Instant from Nu3tion is a premium dietary supplement without unnecessary additives or fillers. Thanks to these amino acids you will achieve better recovery after training and protect muscle mass from loss in crisis situations
They are the ideal dietary supplement for dietary periods when the body does not have sufficient nutrient intake and so muscles are at risk.
Benefits:
- Maximize recovery
- Increasing the quality and quantity of muscle mass
- Improved protein synthesis
- Allows you to burn fat while maintaining muscle mass
Disadvantages:
- Only available in three flavors
- No measuring cup included (must be purchased)
About the Manufacturer:
Nu3tion prides itself on 100% transparency and clarity, they do not offer any cheap substitutes or artificially inflate the protein content of their products.
For most protein products, you can choose from many unusual flavors, such as baileys, featherk or piña colada, and for branched chain amino acids, forest fruit, refreshing lemon and other irresistible flavours.
What BCAA Instant contains:
- 5000mg of l-leucine for proper protein synthesis, blood glucose maintenance, anti-catabolic effects. In addition, it also regulates blood sugar levels and participates in the production of growth hormone
- 2500mg of l-isoleucine for increased muscle tissue resistance and healing
- 2500mg of l-valine for improved elasticity of fibers in human tissues. Valine also supports the effects of leucine and isoleucine.
Final Summary:
BCAA Instant is, in our opinion, a great dietary supplement for students and exercisers who do not have but want the best for their bodies.
Unfortunately, even on the manufacturer's official website the product is not sufficiently presented and therefore we cannot provide you with some essential information - e.g. How the content of active ingredients changes with the chosen flavour. At the same time, we think that every better quality product should include its measuring cup.
However, as far as the quality of this product itself is concerned, it is perfectly sufficient for the needs of most exercisers and you will not go wrong by investing in this product.
BCAA test
We take great care in reviewing the best branched chain amino acids and try to create the most objective review for you. comparison of the best products on the market so that you can be 100% sure that you will be satisfied with your chosen product. We've tested dozens of BCAAs for you and only used the best ones in our rankings.
We focused on criteria that are important to every consumer:
- Ingredients
- price
- taste
- number of servings per packet,...
At the end of this process, there is a completely objective ranking that should help you make your decision. We don't have our own supplements to recommend, nor are we sponsored by any sports nutrition manufacturer, so we can afford to be completely objective.
So what are the best BCAAs at the moment?
We consider BCAA Synergy from Prom-IN to be the best branched chain amino acids on the market. Why?
Here are the five most important benefits:
- Great price
- Highly effective formula
- 9 flavours available for everyone to choose from
- Prom - In is a proven Czech brand
- All ingredients in the product work synergistically
What are BCAAs?
As is traditionally the case, we should be clear at the end of this ranking what it actually BCAAs are and answer some of the questions that may have crossed your mind while browsing through our rankings.
The name BCAA itself is an abbreviation of the English name Brained Chains Amino Acids, or branched chain amino acids.
Thereare many reasons to take BCAAs - first of all, you will speed up the recovery of muscle fibers after aannual workout, increase the quality and quantity of muscle mass and promote the formation of new muscle mass.
How to choose BCAAs
Buy tablet BCAAs or instant?
You've probably noticed that BCAAs are available on the market in several different formsof which the most well-known and most used are tablet and instant.
These two forms are in a constant battle with each other for the most used form of BCAA and most users are still unclear about which BCAA to choose.
The answer is quite simple. The best BCAAs are the instant ones!
Tablet BCAAs are full of binders, fillers, anti-caking agents and other additives, and the actual BCAA content is ridiculously low. To cover your 8g BCAA intake before a workout, you need to eat, for example, 16 tablets. Not only is this highly impractical, but the entire packet packs very few servings. Instant amino acids are thus a far better and more convenient option.
Should I choose a 4:1:1 or a 2:1:1 ratio?
Since BCAAs are available on the market in several different ratios, it would be a good idea to also tell you which one we recommend choosing for the sake of the article's comprehensiveness. From my point of view, the only correct ratio is 2:1:1. The high leucine content of 4:1:1 products is more detrimental than helpful for recovery. An excess of leucine may be justified, for example, when using BCAAs after training, when this amino acid providesproper proteosynthesis and avoiding catabolic processes, but in terms of more frequent use I don't think this ratio is better.
Two basic factors play a role in this whole process:
- Rubner's law of limiting amino acids, which states that the use of amino acids from theof ingested protein depends on the content of the least abundant essential amino acid. This means that only as much protein will be made from amino acids as the amount of the least abundant amino acid.
- Wolf's law of excess essential amino acids, in turn, states that the intake of any essential amino acid amino acid in large excess disrupts the metabolism of the other amino acids and intensifies the effects of the limiting (i.e. under-represented) amino acid. In practice, therefore, this means that an excess of leucine is not only unnecessary but may even be detrimental to the metabolism of other amino acids.
What are the benefits of BCAAs?
- Better muscle tissuerecovery
- Increased quality and quantity of muscle mass
- Protection of muscle mass from damage during intense workouts
- Helps to make training more intense and thus better net muscle mass growth
- A very good helper in a reduction diet when the body tends to burn muscle
- Thanks to BCAAs, you are not at risk of catabolism because they perfectly protect your muscle mass
We are not afraid to call branched chain amino acids one of the most basic and importantmost important supplements not only for bodybuilders and power triathletes, but for athletes of all sports.
How to dose BCAAs?
The dosage of branched chain amino acids is largely an individual matter as it is based on the body weight of each athlete. In general, however, one dose should be around 5g for the average exerciser. However, some top athletes exceed the dosage several times over. BCAAs should be taken before training to protect muscle mass and after training for better recovery. It is also possible (but not necessary) to take one dose during exercise.
No, it doesn't.
During non-training days, we must not forget to ensure sufficient protein intake (mainly from meat and eggs). In fact, the daily requirement of branched chain amino acids should be amply covered by a protein-rich diet on a non-training day.
If you do decide to take BCAAs in tablets, it is very useful to know the exact content of the active ingredients (in this case BCAAs).
You may find that you will need to swallow 10 tablets to cover 5g of BCAAs, so we recommend reading the nutritional factsand consider the whole purchase of tablet BCAAs carefully.
In our own experience, it is far easier to and (not only economically) more convenient for 5g of BCAAs to mix 7g of product in water than to swallow 10 tablets.
For instant amino acids the same rule applies as for tablets. First of all , it is advisable to know the amino acid content.
Then just mix the recommended dose in water and you have a refreshing drink full of amino acids.
What is the recommended composition of BCAA?
You will have noticed that each product is different and therefore has a different concentration of branched chain amino acids.
It is very useful to compare the BCAA content in 100g of each product and make a decision based on that. Quality supplements should contain at least 80% branched chain amino acids, ideally represented in a 2:1:1 ratio.
An important criterion when choosing the ideal amino acids is also the content of other (undesirable) ingredients - fillers, sweeteners, thickeners etc. Quality products definitely do not include things like Acesulfame K, which can have a detrimental effect on human health.
The price of amino acids meeting these criteria should be around per half-kilogram pack (as is the case with BCAA Synergy, for example). If the manufacturer specifies considerably less, you should be cautious and thoroughly check the composition of such a product.
First of all, it is important to note that amino acids as such are a boon to the bodyand their use (as long as we do not significantly exceed the DDD) is perfectly safe.
So far, there are no known side effects of BCAAs. If we talk about exceeding the DDD several times, there is a risk of greater water binding in the digestive tract and associated digestive problems
Sources of text
- ROUBÍK, Lukáš. Modern nutrition in fitness and strength sports. Prague: Erasport, [2018]. ISBN 978-80-905685-5-6.
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Branched-chain amino acid - Wikipedia. [online]. Available from: https: //en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Branched-chain_amino_acid
- CLARK, Nancy. Sports nutrition: Diet plan, nutritional supplements, pre- and post- exercise diet, specific nutritional needs, weight loss without starvation, recipes. 4th ed. Translated by René SOUČEK, translated by Monika SOUČKOVÁ. Prague: Grada Publishing, 2020. ISBN 978-80-271-1030-8.
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BCAA Benefits: A Review of Branched-Chain Amino Acids. Healthline: Medical information and health advice you can trust [online]. Copyright © 2005. Available from: https: //www.healthline.com/nutrition/bcaa
What to combine BCAA with?
Of course, BCAAs can be drunk during training alone and they will still perform their effect. But you can also combine them with a variety of other supplements, such as:
With pre-workout
You can add BCAAs to your pre-workout supplement, among other things, and drink them together about 30 minutes before your workout. This combination is good for all athletes who train at a higher frequency and with shorter breaks. However, it should be noted that some pre-workout supplements already contain BCAAs, in which case there is no need to supplement. Our comparison of the best pre-workout pre-workouts will help you choose the right one.
With creatine
If you've seen our ranking of the best creatines, you'll have managed to notice that many of them are completely flavourless. And in that case, it's really worth reaching for BCAAs, which on the other hand are often made in flavoured variants. In addition to the fact that this mixture will taste good before a workout, it is worth noting that someexperts also recommend it for maximizing your training efforts.
With glutamine
If you want to drink BCAAs before or during your workout, you can reach for a combination of BCAAs and glutamine. Either premixed complex supplements are sold or you can make this combination yourself. Because like creatine, glutamine is often made unflavored. You can read more about it in our articles Glutamine under scrutiny and Is it safe to take expired glutamine?
Conversely, it is not necessary to add BCAAs to protein supplements. For example, if you look at our ranking of the best wheyprotein, you'll find that many of these products contain well over 5 grams of BCAAs in a single serving.
BCAA after expiry
If the BCAAs are stored properly and no moisture has gotten into them, it should be hypothetically possible to use them for some time after expiration. However, their taste may not be as intense. We wrote more about this in our article on Is it possible to use expired BCAAs?