What are BCAAs?

What are BCAAs?  

BCAAs, or branched chain amino acids, are a group of three essential amino acids: valine, isoleucine and leucine. BCAAs help promote protein synthesis — a natural process the body needs to build and maintain muscle. They’re considered essential as the body is unable to produce them, so we must either get them from food (which can be time consuming and costly) or BCAA supplements.   

A healthy diet and regular exercise is important to get the most out of BCAA benefits. Moreover, it’s advisable to follow the recommended dosages and seek advice from a professional if necessary.  

Find out more about what are BCAAs and the difference between amino acids, BCAAs and protein by checking out our blog. 

What are BCAAs supplements?   

A BCAA supplement is a convenient product specifically designed to increase the intake of BCAAs. They typically contain concentrated amounts of the three BCAAs — leucine, isoleucine and valine — and are often used by people active in the fitness world, such as athletes, bodybuilders and people who work out regularly.  

When is the best time to take BCAAs?  

You can take BCAAs at any time during the day, although most people prefer to take them around 15-30 minutes before working out to get the most out of BCAA benefits. You can take a BCAA tablet or capsule, add a BCAA powder to your pre-workout shake or enjoy a BCAA drink before you hit the gym, track or training field.    

Can I take BCAAs instead of protein?  

As BCAAs are not a complete protein source (i.e. they don’t contain all nine essential amino acids), they do not count towards your protein needs. It’s perfectly fine to use both BCAAs and protein supplements to get the best of both worlds.  

Buy BCAA powders at Body&Fit  

BCAA powders are a popular supplement that contains concentrated amounts of BCAAs in powdered form. They’re a convenient and versatile way to experience BCAA benefits, as they can be easily mixed with water or other drinks. 

BCAA powders usually contains an optimal ratio of the three BCAAs: leucine, isoleucine and valine. The ratio often recommended for BCAA benefits is 2:1:1, with leucine having the highest concentration.  

It’s important to note that BCAA powders are best used in combination with a balanced diet and regular exercise.