Five Proven Health Benefits of Branched-Chain Amino Acids (BCAAs)
You have probably heard of BCAAs if you prefer to work out and bodybuilding. Branched Chain Amino Acids, as the name suggests, are some of the most crucial amino acids for muscle repair.
There are 20 different amino acids, nine of which are essential amino acids, meaning your body cannot produce them and you must consume them in your diet. Three of the nine essential amino acids – leucine, isoleucine, and valine are known as branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs).
BCAAs can be found in foods high in protein, such as dairy, meat, and eggs. You can choose to take BCAA supplements if your daily needs are not satisfied, primarily offered as powder.
5 Proven Health Benefits of BCAA are as follows:
1. Increase muscle growth
One of the uses of BCAAs is to increase muscle growth.
Leucine, a type of BCAA, stimulates a particular physiological route that promotes muscle protein synthesis.
However, this increase in muscle protein synthesis is around 50% lower than what was seen in other research where participants drank a whey protein shake with a comparable quantity of BCAAs.
All of the essential amino acids required to develop muscle are present in whey protein. The other required amino acids, such as those in whey protein or another complete protein source, are necessary for BCAAs to promote muscle protein synthesis to their fullest potential.
2. Enhanced Muscle Recovery
According to some research, BCAAs may aid in reducing post-workout muscular pain. It’s usual to experience soreness for a day or two following a workout, particularly if your fitness regimen is new.
It has been demonstrated that BCAAs lessen muscle damage, which may assist reduce and lessen the intensity of delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS).
Additionally, BCAAs lessen the rate of protein oxidation after exercise and the level of creatine kinase, a sign of muscle injury. As a result, taking BCAA supplements, especially before exercise, may shorten recovery time.
3. Reduce exercise fatigue and improve performance
Both muscle soreness and exhaustion brought on by exercise may be lessened by BCAA supplementation.
Everyone eventually feels tired and exhausted after working out. Your degree of fitness and nutrition, as well as the time and intensity of your workout, all affect how quickly you weary.
During exercise, your muscles consume BCAAs, resulting in a drop in blood levels. Tryptophan, an important amino acid, is more abundant in your brain as blood levels of BCAAs decline.
Tryptophan is transformed into serotonin in the brain, which is known to play a role in the onset of weariness after exercise.
In a study, participants who took BCAA supplements reported less central weariness, which led to better performance.
4. Reduce issues relating to liver disease
It is also known that BCAAs might aid those with liver disorders better be able to metabolise proteins. Protein deficiencies are frequently caused by liver illness, which can alter how the body metabolises proteins.
According to a 2011 study, BCAA supplementation helps individuals with liver cirrhosis have a better prognosis and quality of life. Hepatic encephalopathy (HE), a decline in brain function that can result in confusion and loss of consciousness, is one particular liver disease consequence that BCAAs are thought to treat.
The severity of HE and the length of hospital stays for patients having liver surgery were both decreased by BCAA use, according to a 2014 meta-analysis that also revealed BCAAs enhanced liver function.
5. They Help Make Up For Low Protein Consumption
You can consume BCAAs if you are unable to obtain enough protein in your diet for a variety of reasons. By providing you with a consistent source of amino acids, BCAAs help you to improve your diet.
According to studies, a protein smoothie containing roughly 25g of whey protein alone has the same impact as one with 6.25g of whey protein and 5g of leucine.
In order to avoid starving your muscles on days when you have a busy schedule and cannot eat all of your planned meals, it is essential to take a BCAA supplement.
Branched chain amino acids can be taken prior to, during, or following an exercise. These supplements provide you more energy and lessen the harm done to your muscles when you take them before or during exercise. When taken following exercise, your recovery rate greatly increases, preventing any muscle pain or weariness.
A daily BCAA intake of 5-7g is recommended. For optimum results, Shred Nutrition suggests the following BCAA supplements for best results.
| Name | Price | Purchase Link |
| Scivation Xtend Original BCAA | ₹3,499 | BUY NOW |
| BPI Sports Best BCAA | ₹2,499 | BUY NOW |
| Optimum Nutrition (ON) Essential Amino Energy | ₹2,429 | BUY NOW |
