Branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) are essential nutrients. Supplementing with isolated BCAAs has been investigated as a means to stimulate muscle growth and repair, but not all supplements are made equal. This review will help you make an informed decision and find the best BCAA supplements in the market for you if you choose to use supplements.
Table of Contents
Summary of Review
- Best for Recovery: Transparent Labs BCAA Glutamine
- Best for Muscle Growth: Momentous Vital Aminos
- Best Pre-Workout With BCAAs: Type Zero Clean Amino Burn BCAAs
- Best Unflavored Powder: KAGED BCAA
- Best for Endurance: Klean BCAA + PEAK ATP®
- Best for Weight Loss: Prosupps Hydro BCAA + Essentials
- Best Tasting: Swolverine BCAAs
- Best With Electrolytes: Type Zero Clean Vegan BCAA + Electrolytes
- Best Vegan: Promix BCAA
Why You Can Trust Us
I, a Registered Dietitian/Nutritionist, and the Everflex research team have devoted hundreds of hours to researching, tasting, and evaluating these products so that you don’t have to. We prepared and tasted all the products on this list, and this is our honest review.
Registered Dietitians are food and nutrition experts committed to our clients’ health and well-being. This means that my analysis of nutrition products is always evidence-based and thorough.
Disclosure: All products discussed in this article were given to me as a free sample. However, I receive no gain or reward, monetary or in kind, based on my review of any products. This is a review article only and does not serve as a recommendation—talk to a healthcare professional before starting any supplements on your own.
How We Evaluated BCAA Supplements
When selecting BCAA supplements to include in this review, our research team started by selecting products based on quality, customer reviews, BCAA ratio, ingredients, and price. While we only reviewed BCAA powder, you can also get BCAA capsules.
I received the selected products, did a deeper dive, and used them myself. I evaluated each supplement based on 5 categories:
- Safety/third-party testing
- Value for money
- Ingredients and effectiveness
- Taste
- Mixability
All products received a score out of 5 in each category, which can help you compare across brands and look for higher scores in the categories that matter most to you.
Safety and Third-Party Testing
Since dietary supplements like BCAAs don’t need FDA approval to be sold, their credibility and safety can come into question. This is why the first thing that I do when evaluating a supplement is check for third-party testing.
This means that companies have chosen to have their product tested by an independent lab for contaminants and to ensure that the ingredients match the label.
- NSF Certified for Sport® is the gold standard for third-party testing. It is recognized by the USADA and many professional sports leagues.
- If the product is not NSF Certified for Sport®, then I would look for other third-party testing, informed sport certification, and confirmation of a GMP-compliant (cGMP) facility.
I want this information to be easy to find so that I can evaluate safety before all else.
Score | Safety Scoring System |
---|---|
5 | NSF Certified for Sport® |
4 | Third-party testing information is easy to find on the product website. The third-party company has 10+ years of experience. |
3 | Third-party testing information is easy to find on the product website. The company has less than 10 years of experience. |
2 | The company states that they are third-party certified, but third-party testing information is not found on the product website. The product is made in a cGMP facility. |
1 | The company states that they are third-party certified, but third-party testing information is not found on the product website. The product is not made in a cGMP facility. |
0 | No third-party testing |
Value
These products can be expensive, especially when you add this price on top of your other nutrition supplements and grocery bills. We broke down the price of each product by:
- Price per container
- Price per serving/scoop
- Price per 100 mg of leucine
Be aware: Some products cost more because they have additional ingredients, like pre-workout. Others cost more because they are more reliable (i.e., are NSF Certified for Sport®).
Since this is a review of branched-chain amino acid products, I use 100 milligrams of leucine as the benchmark for price comparison, even if there are additional ingredients like glutamine or electrolytes in the product.
Score | Value Scoring System (price per 100 mg of leucine) |
---|---|
5 | Equal to or less than $0.03 OR $0.07 and is NSF Certified for Sport® |
4 | Between $0.04-0.07 OR $0.08-0.11 and is NSF Certified for Sport® |
3 | Between $0.08-0.11 OR $0.12-0.15 and is NSF Certified for Sport® |
2 | Between $0.12-0.15 OR $0.16-0.19 and is NSF Certified for Sport® |
1 | Between $0.16-0.19 OR $0.20-0.23 and is NSF Certified for Sport® |
0 | More than $0.20 OR $0.23 and is NSF Certified for Sport® |
Ingredients and Effectiveness
Many of these products make claims on their packaging such as “enhances muscle growth” or “promotes recovery”. What I’m looking to see is how their ingredients support these claims and if it’s backed by research.
However, most claims made on workout supplements aren’t supported by a vast amount of literature or legitimate guidelines. So what I’m really checking for is if the dosages are similar to those in recent studies and if there are any safety or health concerns related to the ingredients.
While some supplements contain isolated pure amino acids, others also have additives like colors, artificial sweeteners, and flavoring agents.
- Some non-nutritive (no calorie) sweeteners that are natural include stevia and monk fruit.
- Sugar alcohols contain fewer calories than regular sugar.
- Artificial sweeteners such as sucralose or acesulfame potassium also have no calories and don’t affect blood sugars.
- Natural food colorings often come from fruits and vegetables.
Score | Ingredients Scoring System |
---|---|
5 | Contains 3 or more additional ingredients that support claims made on packaging AND/OR 2 additional ingredients to support claims and all-natural flavors/colors |
4 | Contains 2 additional ingredients that support claims made on packaging AND/OR 1 additional ingredient to support claims and all-natural flavors/colors |
3 | Contains 1 additional ingredient that supports claims made on the packaging but also contains artificial sweeteners/coloring agents AND/OR only BCAAs to support claims and all-natural flavors/colors |
2 | Contains only BCAAs to support claims made on packaging and artificial sweeteners/coloring agents |
1 | Contains unnecessary/unsafe additives/ingredients |
0 | Does not contain any ingredients to support claims made on packaging |
Taste and Mixability
Taste is a subjective sensory component of food and nutrition products, which makes it difficult to evaluate for a large variety of people. While I thought some products tasted awful, my best friend thought they were delicious!
I reviewed the taste of each product using specific criteria to try and get the most objective results for you, but I’ll also share my opinion for your interest. These criteria are:
- Flavor intensity (strong, medium, or mild): Does it feel overwhelming or subdued in your mouth?
- Flavor notes (scale from 0-5): Does the product taste like the flavor it’s advertised as?
- Aftertaste: What is the aftertaste if there is one?
Taste scoring system:
- Flavor notes score only – other components have descriptive results
We also rated each powder based on its mixability, or how well it dissolves in the specified amount of water after stirring. No one likes getting to the bottom of their drink and finding a thick layer of powder coating the cup!
Score | Mixability Scoring System |
---|---|
5 | Dissolves into a clear liquid with no residue left in the cup |
4 | Dissolves into a clear liquid with some residue left in the cup |
3 | Partially dissolves into an opaque liquid with no residue left in the cup |
2 | Partially dissolves into an opaque liquid with some residue left in the cup |
1 | Partially dissolves into an opaque liquid with lots of residue left in the cup |
0 | Does not dissolve |
Best BCAA Supplements
Product | Safety | Value | Ingredients/ Effectiveness | Taste | Mixability | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Transparent Labs BCAA Glutamine | 4 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 21 |
Momentous Vital Aminos | 5 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 22 |
Type Zero Clean Amino Burn BCAAs + Pre-Workout | 2 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 11 |
KAGED BCAA | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 18 |
Klean BCAA + PEAK ATP® | 5 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 2 | 20 |
Prosupps Hydro BCAA + Essentials | 2 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 5 | 17 |
Swolverine BCAAs | 4 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 23 |
Type Zero Clean Vegan BCAA + Electrolytes | 2 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 18 |
Promix BCAA | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 20 |
Transparent Labs BCAA Glutamine: Best BCAA Supplement for Recovery
Transparent Labs BCAA Glutamine is the winner for the best BCAA supplement for recovery. This is because it contains branched-chain amino acids and glutamine. Glutamine has roles in protein synthesis, the immune system, and anti-fatigue markers. This product also contains coconut water and vitamin C, which can help with rehydration and recovery.
Third-Party Testing: 4/5
- Analytical Resource Laboratories: more than 20 years of experience in dietary supplement testing
- Elite Manufacturing and packaging: purity testing on each batch
- Transparent Labs posts the certificates of analysis and composition for each batch of products on their website which are easily accessible.
Value: 5/5
- $39.99 per 582 g container on the Transparent Labs website
- $1.39 per serving (20.17 g scoop)
- $0.03 per 100 mg of leucine
Ingredients: 5/5
- BCAA ratio: 2:1:1
- 4000 mg of leucine
- 2000 mg of isoleucine
- 2000 mg of valine
- 5000 mg of glutamine
- Coconut water powder
- Vitamin C
- Coloring agent: None
- Sweetener: Stevia
Taste: 5/5
- Flavor tested: Sour green apple
- Flavor intensity: Strong
- Flavor notes: Started sweet and sour, strong artificial apple taste
- Aftertaste: Sweet
Mixability: 2/5
- Mixability: Remained cloudy/foamy and there was some residue left at the bottom of the cup.
Overall Opinion
The flavor of this product isn’t something I would normally choose, but it did taste like apple, and the mixability wasn’t great. However, I do appreciate that Transparent Labs remains true to its name and is transparent in its testing and ingredients. Their website makes it very easy to find all of their third-party testing information.
Check out a second opinion in Mike’s review of Transparent Labs BCAA Glutamine.
Momentous Vital Aminos: Best BCAA Supplement for Muscle Growth
Momentous Vital Aminos is the winner of the best BCAA powder for muscle growth. This product contains branched-chain amino acids in a 4:1:1 ratio. It contains all other essential amino acids and alpha-ketoglutarate, which both have roles in muscle protein synthesis for increased muscle mass.
Third-Party Testing: 5/5
- NSF Certified for Sport®
- Informed-Sport
Value: 5/5
- $44.95 per 312 g bag on Amazon
- $1.50 per serving (10.4 g scoop)
- $0.06 per 100 mg of leucine
Ingredients: 5/5
- BCAA ratio: 4:1:1
- 2500 mg of leucine
- 625 mg of isoleucine
- 625 mg of valine
- All essential amino acids
- 470 mg Alpha ketoglutaric acid
- Coloring agent: Beetroot
- Sweetener: Rebaudioside A (a steviol glycoside)
Taste: 3/5
- Flavor tested: Tropical Punch
- Flavor intensity: Strong
- Flavor notes: Initial bitter taste, followed by sour and sweet. Perceived as an orange flavor.
- Aftertaste: Sweet
Mixability: 4/5
- Mixability: Remained dark but relatively clear. The product precipitated out slightly onto the bottom of the cup.
Overall Opinion
I liked the ingredient profile in this product, and it has the best third-party certification. This is the only product that we reviewed that contains BCAAs in a 4:1:1 ratio, and the addition of essential amino acids could further stimulate muscle protein synthesis for building lean muscle mass. I found the taste overwhelming, but it wasn’t off-putting. While this product is in the higher price range, it is justified by the NSF certification and ingredients list.
Type Zero Clean Amino Burn BCAAs + Pre-Workout: Best Pre-Workout With BCAAs
Type Zero Clean Amino Burn BCAAs + Pre-Workout won the best BCAA powder with pre-workout. While it doesn’t contain a substantial amount of BCAAs, if you’re looking for a comprehensive pre-workout with caffeine and citrulline that also contains BCAAs and more, then check out this product.
Third-Party Testing: 2/5
- Third-party lab tested, but no information available on the lab or certificates of analysis.
- Reached out to the company for more information and didn’t receive any response.
Value: 0/5
- $24.95 per 366 g container on Amazon
- $0.82 per serving (12 g scoop)
- $0.23 per 100 mg of leucine
Ingredients: 5/5
- BCAA ratio: 2:1:1
- 375 mg of leucine
- 187 mg of isoleucine
- 187 mg of valine
- 250 mg of glutamine
- 150 mg caffeine from coffee beans
- Green tea extract
- Electrolytes: Sodium and potassium
- Other ingredients: Taurine, carnitine, arginine, BetaPure betaine, citrulline, phenylalanine, tyrosine, citrus aurantium, evodiamine
- Coloring agent: Beetroot powder
- Sweeteners: Erythritol (sugar alcohol) and stevia
Taste: 2/5
- Flavor tested: Watermelon
- Flavor intensity: Medium
- Flavor notes: Started sour, then bitter and sweet. Lacked a strong watermelon flavor.
- Aftertaste: Limited
Mixability: 2/5
- Mixability: Remained cloudy and a thin layer precipitated at the bottom of the cup.
Overall Opinion
While this product does contain many pre-workout ingredients and the branched-chain amino acids are in a 2:1:1 ratio, it contains a very small amount so it has a low value score. If you’re looking for the most BCAAs for your dollar, then this isn’t the product for you. However, I appreciated that the flavor wasn’t too intense and it contains a variety of ingredients to support energy during a workout and recovery. It also received a low score for safety due to its lack of information and communication related to its third-party testing.
KAGED BCAA: Best Unflavored BCAA Supplement
KAGED BCAA won the best-unflavored BCAA powder supplement. This product is simply branched-chain amino acids, with no flavors, colors, or extra ingredients, and its clear third-party testing makes it a reliable product.
Third-Party Testing: 4/5
- Certified with Informed-Sport
Value: 5/5
- $41.00 per 400 g container on the KAGED website
- $0.56 per serving (5.5 g scoop)
- $0.02 per 100 mg of leucine
Ingredients: 3/5
- BCAA ratio: 2:1:1
- 2500 mg of leucine
- 1250 mg of isoleucine
- 1250 mg of valine
- Coloring agent: none
- Sweetener: none
Taste: 3/5
- Flavor tested: Unflavoured
- Flavor intensity: N/A
- Flavor notes: Bitter, but relatively flavorless
- Aftertaste: Bitter
Mixability: 3/5
- Mixability: Slightly foamy but with little to no precipitate.
Overall Opinion
Even though this is an unflavored BCAA supplement, it of course still has a flavor, and I tasted this product mixed in water and juice. While it did have a bitter taste when mixed with juice, I enjoyed it more than any of the flavored products. I like that this product doesn’t contain any confusing ingredients or extra additives, and its third-party testing is reliable.
Klean BCAA + PEAK ATP®: Best BCAA Supplement for Endurance
Klean BCAA + PEAK ATP® won the best BCAA supplement for endurance because of the addition of PEAK ATP®. This unique ingredient has been associated with increased performance and number of reps in recent studies.
Third-Party Testing: 5/5
- NSF Certified for Sport®
Value: 4/5
- $59.60 per 252 g container on the Klean website
- $1.99 per serving (8.6 g scoop)
- $0.10 per 100 mg of leucine
Ingredients: 4/5
- BCAA ratio: 2:1:1
- 2000 mg
- 1000 mg
- 1000 mg
- 400 mg of PEAK ATP®
- Coloring agent: Annatto (from seeds of the achiote tree)
- Sweeteners: Xylitol (sugar alcohol, stevia, monk fruit extract)
Taste: 5/5
- Flavor tested: Orange
- Flavor intensity: Medium
- Flavor notes: Sweet like orange candy
- Aftertaste: Limited
Mixability: 2/5
- Mixability: Opaque mixture with light precipitation
Overall Opinion
I didn’t find the flavor too intense and enjoyed the medium – mild sweet flavor as I prefer sweeteners like monk fruit extract. Plus, this product has the highest level of safety and reliability. It is the most expensive product on the list, but it may be worth it for you if you prioritize safety and taste.
Check out a second opinion in Mike’s review of Klean BCAA + PEAK ATP®.
Prosupps Hydro BCAA + Essentials: Best BCAA Supplement for Weight Loss
Prosupps hydro BCAA + Essentials won best BCAA supplement for weight loss. When attempting to lose weight, it’s important to maintain proper nutrition, especially when it comes to protein and hydration. This product not only contains branched-chain amino acids, but the rest of the essential amino acids and electrolytes help promote recovery and healthy weight loss.
Third-Party Testing: 2/5
- Third-party lab tested, but no information available on the lab or certificates of analysis
- Reached out to the company for more information and didn’t receive any response.
Value: 5/5
- $29.99 per 420 g container on Amazon
- $1.00 per serving (14 g scoop)
- $0.03 per 100 mg of leucine
Ingredients: 4/5
- BCAA ratio: 2:1:1
- 3500 mg of leucine
- 1750 mg of isoleucine
- 1750 mg of valine
- Electrolytes:
- 50 mg of sodium
- 100 mg of potassium
- 3000 mg of EAA matrix
- Coloring agent: Fruit and vegetable juice
- Sweeteners: Sucralose and acesulfame potassium
Taste: 1/5
- Flavor tested: Blue Raspberry
- Flavor intensity: Strong
- Flavor notes: Slightly bitter to start, then very sweet with no real fruit flavor
- Aftertaste: Very sweet
Mixability: 5/5
- Mixability: Dissolved thoroughly to a clear fluid with no precipitation.
Overall Opinion
I found this product too sweet, however, it wasn’t overwhelmingly bitter or off-putting. While they are third-party tested, finding information on this was challenging and time-consuming which I don’t like. However, the ingredients make sense and there are no artificial colors. Nutrition supplements are not necessary for an individual to lose weight, however. It’s best to achieve weight loss gradually through proper nutrition, hydration, and exercise.
Swolverine BCAAs: Best Tasting BCAA Supplement
Swolverine BCAAs won best tasting BCAA supplement. Not only does this product have a sweet and pleasant citrus flavor, but it also contains additional compounds like glutamine and is a safe and reliable company.
Third-Party Testing: 4/5
- Third-party tested by Lief (established in 2008) and Micro Quality labs (established in 1926).
- Swolverine posts the certificates of analysis for each batch of products on their website which are easily accessible.
Value: 4/5
- $49.99 per 390 g container on their website
- $0.83 per serving (6.5 g scoop)
- $0.04 per 100 mg of leucine
Ingredients: 5/5
- BCAA ratio: 2:1:1
- 2000 mg of leucine
- 1000 mg of isoleucine
- 1000 mg of valine
- 2 mg of vitamin B6
- Electrolytes
- 20 mg of sodium
- 37 mg of potassium
- 1000 mg of glutamine
- Coloring agent: none
- Sweetener: Sucralose
Taste: 5/5
- Flavor tested: Lemon Lime
- Flavor intensity: Medium
- Flavor notes: Sweet with light citrus, stronger lemon than lime flavor
- Aftertaste: Sweet
Mixability: 5/5
- Mixability: Dissolved to a clear liquid with no precipitation
Overall Opinion
I enjoyed the taste and mixability of this product the most compared to the other flavored products I reviewed. The lemon-lime flavor is more subtle and fresh, and no coloring agents are making it seem like I’m drinking a melted popsicle. Swolverine is also a reliable and transparent company, and I love how easy it is to find their certificates of analysis for products.
Check out a second opinion with Mike’s review of Swolverine BCAAs.
Type Zero Clean Vegan BCAA + Electrolytes: Best BCAA Supplement With Electrolytes
Type Zero Clean BCAA + Electrolytes won best BCAA supplement with electrolytes. Compared to other products we reviewed this one has the most electrolytes and also contains coconut water to keep you hydrated through a long workout.
Third-Party Testing: 2/5
- Third-party lab tested, but no information available on the lab or certificates of analysis.
- I reached out to the company for more information and didn’t receive any information.
Value: 5/5
- $31.95 per 337 g container on Amazon
- $1.04 per serving (11 g scoop)
- $0.03 per 100 mg of leucine
Ingredients: 5/5
- BCAA ratio: 2:1:1
- 3000 mg of leucine
- 1500 mg of isoleucine
- 1500 mg of valine
- Electrolytes
- 120 mg of sodium
- 80 mg of potassium
- 10 mg of magnesium
- 100 mg of coconut powder
- Arginine, Acetyl L-Carnitine, Betaine anhydrous
- Coloring agent: Beta carotene
- Sweetener: Stevia
Taste: 4/5
- Flavor tested: Peach Mango
- Flavor intensity: Strong
- Flavor notes: Starts with an intense sour/sweet flavor and then you get a peach flavor
- Aftertaste: Sweet
Mixability: 2/5
- Mixability: Remained an opaque orange color with a layer of precipitate at the bottom of the cup
Overall Opinion
Peach mango would be one of my favorite flavors, and while there was some peach, the intense sweetness overrode the mango flavor for me. In comparison to other products reviewed, this one had the best ingredients in terms of an electrolyte drink at a reasonable price. However, if you value safety the most, Type Zero is a less transparent brand compared to the rest.
Promix BCAA: Best Vegan BCAA Supplement
Promix BCAA powder won best vegan BCAA supplement. This is a straightforward product with no artificial colors or flavors and fully vegan-friendly ingredients. Promix also supports 1% for the planet, and their packaging uses 67% less carbon than comparable more rigid packaging.
Third-Party Testing: 4/5
- Promix Nutrition tests all of their products through Convance (established in 1995) and Eurofins Laboratories (founded in 1987).
- Promix also shares analysis for each lot of products.
Value: 4/5
- $31.99 per 195 g bag on Amazon
- $1.07 per serving (two 3.25 g scoops (6.5 g))
- $0.04 per 100 mg of leucine
Ingredients: 4/5
- BCAA ratio: 2:1:1
- 2500 mg of leucine
- 1250 mg of isoleucine
- 1250 mg of valine
- Vitamin C
- Coloring agent: Beets
- Sweetener: Monk fruit and cherry and grape extract
Taste: 3/5
- Flavor tested: Cherry Lime
- Flavor intensity: Medium
- Flavor notes: Bitter cherry, not overwhelmingly sweet, lacking the lime flavor
- Aftertaste: Bitter
Mixability: 5/5
- Mixability: Dissolved to a dark, clear color with little to no precipitation
Overall Opinion
While I wasn’t in love with the taste of this product, I do like the company and their initiatives towards giving back to the planet and keeping their products clean, natural, and reliable. Additionally, this product had my favorite scoop—it had a very long handle so your hand isn’t getting covered in powder each time you reach in for a scoop of powder.
Products That Didn’t Make the Cut
The following products were also reviewed but are not on our best-of list:
- XTEND Ripped BCAA Powder
- NAKED BCAAs
- XWERKS Motion
- Intra Surge Intra Workout
- Jacked Factory BCAA Fermented
What Are BCAA Supplements?
Branched-chain amino acids are 3 of the essential amino acids—leucine, isoleucine, and valine. BCAA supplements typically include isolated BCAAs in a 2:1:1 ratio of leucine:isoleucine:valine. Or sometimes they’re sold in conjunction with the rest of the nine essential amino acids. Learn more about the difference between BCAAs and EAAs by reading our other articles.
The market for BCAA supplements for athletes is growing, and they’re typically advertised as inducing muscle growth or as a means to diminish fatigue and improve performance. However, the evidence behind these claims is not clear.
What to Consider Before Buying BCAAs
Using a similar thought process to the evaluation guide I used above can help you make the best decision when choosing an athletic supplement.
- Start by considering your nutrition or performance-related goals and athletic level – do you really need a supplement?
- Consult your doctor or another trusted healthcare provider to see if this is a safe option for you.
- If you decide that you want to use a supplement, pay attention to third-party certification and ensure you’re purchasing from a company that you trust.
- Look at the label for ingredients and flavors that are right for you.
Do BCAAs Work?
Evidence related to BCAAs as a supplement for athletic performance is conflicting and inconsistent.
A systematic review from 2022 in the Nutrients journal reviewing the effects of BCAA supplementation on athletes found:
- Minimal benefits related to performance or body composition
- Improved recovery from muscle soreness after resistance training
Meanwhile, the International Society of Sports Nutrition recently put out a position on EAA supplementation where they discuss the role of EAA supplementation in stimulating muscle protein synthesis.
Greater research is still needed before we can make proper, evidenced-based recommendations related to the use of BCAAs as an athletic supplement.
If you are not a professional athlete or someone training for a significant amount of time consistently, then you most likely do not need to spend your money on athletic supplements.
Potential Benefits of BCAAs
While the evidence is conflicting related to the actual benefits of BCAA supplementation, some potential benefits related to the mechanisms of action of BCAAs include:
- Stimulation of muscle protein synthesis and muscle tissue growth
- Attenuation of muscle fatigue
- Improved athletic performance
- Improved muscle recovery
Potential Side Effects of BCAAs
Keep in mind that dosages and timing of these supplements are not regulated. While it is safe to take additional amino acid supplements, it is possible that you could experience side effects, including:
- Stomach upset
- Diarrhea
- Muscle cramping
Frequently Asked Questions
Do BCAAs contain calories?
Yes, amino acids contain calories! In fact, they contain 4 calories per gram of amino acid. However, most nutrition facts tables of BCAA supplements only show the calories from carbohydrates, which come from calorie-containing sweeteners. While they are low in calories, if a supplement of pure amino acids states that they are calorie-free, this is a false claim.
How much do BCAAs cost?
The cost of these products varies based on where you’re buying them. If you’re ordering from the product website, another website like Amazon, or a physical store, the price will vary.
Remember to consider the amount of BCAAs you’re getting when comparing prices of different products.
When is the best time to take BCAA supplements?
Since the literature regarding BCAA supplementation for athletic performance is still conflicting, there are no current recommendations for BCAA timing. There are so many other factors that play into their potential effects including additional amino acid intake from food sources or protein powders and the type of activity you’re engaging in.
Editorial Process:
Some of the links in this article could be affiliate links, which can provide us compensation at no cost to you if you decide to purchase supplements. These are products we personally stand behind. This site is not intended to provide personal health recommendations and you should connect with a registered dietitian or nutritionist before using any supplements.