{"id":191552,"date":"2023-07-11T14:56:53","date_gmt":"2023-07-11T19:56:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/breakingmuscle.com\/?p=191552"},"modified":"2023-10-18T10:43:28","modified_gmt":"2023-10-18T15:43:28","slug":"best-bcaa","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/breakingmuscle.com\/best-bcaa\/","title":{"rendered":"Best BCAA Supplements for Women, Men, Weight Loss, and More"},"content":{"rendered":"
It\u2019s the day after your workout, and your muscles are sore and easily fatigued. You search the internet for something that can help support your recovery and come across branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Amino acids are the foundational building blocks for the macronutrient we all know and love: protein. There are 20 amino acids in total, with nine considered essential \u2014 meaning that we have to consume them since our body does not naturally make them. Three of the essential amino acids are the BCAAs l-leucine, l-isoleucine, and l-valine, which are called branch-chain amino acids due to their molecular structure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Research has shown that adequate BCAA intake can possibly decrease the risk of developing cancer and diabetes, increase muscle mass, decrease muscle fatigue, and reduce muscle soreness. (1<\/a>)(2<\/a>) If you are tired of searching for the best branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) to bolster your fitness routine, look no further. In this review, we\u2019ll dig deeper into BCAAs, discuss our top seven picks, and leave you well-informed to make the best decision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Medical disclaimer: This article is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for medical advice. For health advice, contact a licensed healthcare provider.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n If you are looking for a cGMP-certified BCAA product made in the good ole USA, we\u2019ve got you covered. While Jacked Factory’s BCAA powder does have artificial sweetening from sucralose, it also holds another ingredient that is gaining attention for its substantial health benefits: spirulina. This algae plays a role in oxidative stress reduction and acts as an anti-inflammatory. (6<\/a>) These two physiological roles are linked to potentially decreasing the risk of developing cancer, diabetes, and heart disease. (6<\/a>) This is important for men to keep in mind since they are more likely to be diagnosed with diabetes and obesity, in particular, than their female counterparts. (7<\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Another advantage that men who strength train<\/a> will be happy to hear is that spirulina also has been positively correlated with treating and reducing muscle cramps. (6<\/a>) It\u2019s a no-brainer why users are pleased with how quickly their bodies respond to this BCAA supplement and its ingredient combination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Do we get bonus points if we tell you that the Jacked Factory BCAA Powder is one of the most affordable branched-chain amino acid products we\u2019ve reviewed? For only 60 to 67 cents a scoop on Amazon, you will get three grams of leucine, 1.5 grams of valine, and 1.5 grams of iso-leucine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n RELATED: Best Collagen Supplements for Men, Women, Weight Loss, and More<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n When you search \u201cBest BCAA for women,\u201d you\u2019ll be inundated with a long list of supplement products, but we have deemed Transparent Labs\u2019 BCAA Glutamine supplement powder the best BCAA powder for our female strength trainers due to the addition of unique ingredients like l-glutamine. You\u2019ll find an impressive five grams of glutamine per scoop of this BCAA powder, which can help your concentration and performance in the gym. One research study investigation found that female basketball players who supplemented with l-glutamine improved their reaction time and goal-shooting accuracy. (3<\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Raise your hand if you\u2019ve dealt with annoying skin issues (I\u2019m raising mine by the way). Transparent Labs BCAA Glutamine contains coconut water that has been linked to skin health improvement, a nice bonus for us female gym-goers who want to keep our complexions looking bright and healthy. (4<\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n This third-party verified product has nothing to hide. The company prides itself on delivering a product that is 100-percent natural \u2014 we did some digging and this BCAA supplement is as natural as they come. There aren\u2019t any artificial sweeteners, dyes, or preservatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cTransparent\u201d is a great name for this company, as the amounts of every ingredient are listed on the label. It can be difficult to find products that list every ingredient used, right down to the milligram. When you review the supplement label, you’ll see that Transparent Labs BCAA Glutamine offers four grams of leucine and two grams each of valine and isoleucine, totaling an incredible eight grams of BCAAs per scoop. This is a higher amount than most other BCAA supplements currently offer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Furthermore, Transparent Labs BCAA Glutamine offers clinically effective doses of each individual amino acid. For example, evidence-based research supports the daily consumption of at least 2.5 grams of leucine for improved muscle function and grip strength. (5<\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n For more, check out our full Transparent Labs BCAA Glutamine Review<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n You\u2019ll find that this supplement is limited to only three flavors. However, you won\u2019t want to put down what Cellucor Alpha Amino brings to the table. We\u2019re big fans of the watermelon flavor. It mixes easily with plain water, so you don\u2019t have to worry about adding any extra calories. This powder is not offered in an unflavored option, which may be an issue for those who like to mix their BCAA and flavored post-workout recovery shake<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Cellucor Alpha Amino has artificial sweeteners and food dyes, so you may want to avoid it if you\u2019re sensitive to these ingredients. However, it does offer a potent electrolyte blend to aid in your exercise recovery by preventing dehydration and muscle cramping.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A portion of this BCAA powder is made up of betaine. Betaine<\/a> consumption is correlated with improved endurance, body composition, and muscle mass. (8<\/a>) It is also known for naturally lowering homocysteine levels in the body. (8<\/a>) Homocysteine is an amino acid that is linked to the development of blood clots and heart disease, and its levels tend to increase during acute and high-volume exercises. (9<\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n In addition to tasting great, this supplement offers support for your workout with a proprietary blend of 14 different amino acids. One of the amino acids you\u2019ll find in it is citrulline. Citrulline increases the production of ATP in your muscles while you perform aerobic exercises. (10<\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n So what does that mean for you? Increased ATP production leads to decreased lactic acid settling into your muscles, which means you could have a smoother recovery if you supplement with this product. (10<\/a>) The price is a reasonable $27.99 per tub of 30 servings. For those who subscribe, you can save an additional 30 percent and get free shipping.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you like the flavor of raspberry lemonade, you\u2019re in luck. Despite its limitation to only one flavor, XWERKS Motion is our top pick for muscle growth. You\u2019ll get three grams of BCAAs per scoop of this powder. You may have heard of the 2:1:1 ratio for branched-chain amino acids. But why is it important?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Studies have found that having double the amount of leucine than isoleucine and valine can help support the rate at which your muscles recover. (1<\/a>1<\/a>) In comparison to isoleucine and valine, leucine provides a higher anabolic effect for protein synthesis and therefore supports muscle growth. (11<\/a>) If you are looking to bulk, consider XWERKS Motion for your muscle growth needs. Its formula supports this clinically based dose ratio.<\/p>\n\n\n\n XWERKS Motion also offers a blend of ingredients that work together to help boost your workout, which other supplements don\u2019t offer. For example, this supplement provides 28 grams of carbohydrates per serving, with 25 grams being sourced from cluster dextrin. This type of carb digests easily to hit your bloodstream faster and helps facilitate muscle mass gains quickly after working out. (1<\/a>2<\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n RELATED: Best Mass Gainers for Bulking Up Fast<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Number of servings:<\/strong> 31 to 125<\/p> Price per serving:<\/strong> $0.44 to $0.55<\/p> Amount of BCAAs per serving:<\/strong> Four grams <\/p> Calories per serving:<\/strong> Less than 30 <\/p> Flavors:<\/strong> Blue Raspberry, Gummy Fish, Peach Rings, Rainbow Sherbert, Snow Cone, Watermelon <\/p> Third-party tested:<\/strong> ALS Quality Party Accredited, Labdoor Standard Certified, LGC Sport Science Tested, European SPecialist Sport Nutrition Alliance Member, 5-Star Environmental Health Office Rated<\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tCheck Price\t\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\n\t\t\t If you are looking to lose weight, dietary supplements such as BCAA powders may help. MyProtein\u2019s Essential BCAA 2:1:1 powder has less than 40 calories and only three grams of carbs per scoop. Because of these nutritional facts, we highly recommend it for those who are looking to lose weight through calorie reduction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Do not let the candy-like flavors fool you into thinking that this product is packed with sugar. It contains sucralose and gum fillers, but this is what allows it to remain low in calories and carbs. Several research studies have discovered a high correlation between the consumption of amino acid metabolites, such as BCAAs, and improved insulin sensitivity. (13<\/a>) As insulin sensitivity improves, the likelihood of weight maintenance from fat loss increases, along with a reduced risk of obesity. (14<\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n We really like that this powder comes in a variety of options: 0.5-pound, 1.1-pound, and 2.2-pound bags. This makes shopping more convenient if you like to bulk buy and it is also a feature that is not as common in other BCAA powders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You might find that this product is difficult to reseal after opening it, as it comes in a bag versus a tub. If you struggle with keeping it closed (and therefore keeping it fresh and free of contamination), consider transferring its contents into a container with a sealed lid for more convenience.<\/p>\n\n\n\nOur Top Picks for the Best BCAA Supplements<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Best BCAAs for Men: Jacked Factory BCAA Powder<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Best BCAAs for Women: Transparent Labs BCAA Glutamine<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Best Tasting BCAAs: Cellucor Alpha Amino<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Best BCAAs for Muscle Growth: XWERKS Motion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Best BCAAs for Weight Loss: MyProtein Essential BCAA 2:1:1<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Best BCAAs Powder: Transparent Labs BCAA Glutamine<\/h2>\n\n\n\n