They're said to be one of the most beneficial natural supplements for athletes, as they can significantly boost muscle growth and recovery.
In this article, we're going to show you what they are, the best products, how to take them, and where to buy them.
What Is A BCAA Supplement?
BCAA Supplements are supplements that contain branched-chain amino acids. These branched-chain amino acids are composed up of three different amino acids, which are:
- L-Leucine
- L-Isoleucine
- L-Valine
These are essential nutrients for your body as they can positively impact muscle growth, reduce muscle soreness and prevent muscle wastage.
That means as an athlete, adding in a BCAA supplement can make a significant and positive difference in your performance. Here’s a list of the best products:
- Huge BCAA
- Xtend
- Alpha Amino
- n-Kaged
- Optimum Nutrition 1000 Capsules
You'll find these branched-chain amino acids in food sources such as meat and dairy. Many people don't get in enough of the nutrients through food, so additional supplementation is crucial.
The 5 Best BCAA Powders Of 2021
Finding the right and best BCAA powder can get quite challenging if you don't know what to look for. If you've already searched for one, you've most likely come across tens, if not hundreds of different products.
It's important to know that every supplement is different in terms of quality, ingredients, and flavor. You're out to get the best of the best, as you want the product to make a difference for you.
We have gone through the most popular options out on the market and managed to nail it down to 5 products. These products are, in our opinion, the most effective ones you're able to get your hands on.
Here are the 5 best BCAA powders of 2021; check them out!
#1. Huge BCAA
We're starting with the best and most stacked BCAA powder supplement of 2021 - Huge BCAA by Huge Nutrition.
It has the highest amount of amino acids out of all the supplements we've gone through. There are nearly 15 grams of amino acids in this product, of which 8 grams are BCAAs.
And that's exactly what you're looking for in a product like this. With the enormous amount of active ingredients, you'll notice a significant improvement in muscle growth, recovery, and reduced soreness.
It's great to consume during intense training. It makes sure you stay hydrated, so you're able to give it your all when working out. Even on rest days, I enjoy sipping it throughout the day while it helps optimize my recovery.
It's an excellent post workout supplement as well. Oh, on top of that, it tastes incredible.
Right now, it's only available in one flavor, so we're hoping Huge Nutrition releases some new ones soon.
Click here to shop Huge BCAA Powder exclusively from the official site.
#2. Xtend BCAA
Coming in second, we have Xtend BCAA by Scivation. You might have come across this product, as it's a trendy supplement that's been around for years now.
Xtend isn't as stacked as our first option, which is why it places second with a total of 9,5 grams of amino acids. Besides those nutrients, you'll also find electrolytes and Citrulline Malate to support your workout intensity.
It's also worth mentioning that there are no additional calories or sugar in this BCAA powder supplement. You can sip it and not worry about getting in extra calories.
It tastes delicious, and it's available in plenty of different flavors. That means you'll definitely be able to find that one special flavor for you.
Find this product at the official Xtend website or get it from third-party supplement retailers.
#3. Alpha Amino
The third product on our list is Alpha Amino by Cellucor. This product was designed to help maximize your performance, hydration, and recovery.
In Alpha Amino, there are 8,75 grams of amino acids per serving of one scoop. Again, not as much as the two previous products we've featured, but still a reliable amount for boosting performance.
We advise consuming this product while you're working out or after your training to help aid recovery. It's recommended to consume on both training and rest days for maximum results.
There's plenty of websites that have Cellucor's Alpha Amino for sale. Try looking at retailers such as Bodybuilding.com and Amazon for the best prices.
#4. In-Kaged
The fourth product featured on our list is In Kaged by Kaged Muscle. Kaged Muscle designed this product to help individuals optimize recovery and help them extend performance while working out.
One serving of In-Kaged holds 5 grams of branched-chain amino acids at the 2:1:1 ratio. That's a moderate amount that is going to be sufficient for those looking to gain size. With that said, we still recommend users to go with Huge branched-chain amino acids instead because of the significant difference in aminos.
Besides those, you'll also find several other compounds such as Beta-Alanine to help take your intensity to the next level. It's more of an intra workout formula that covers your training from multiple angles instead of solely focusing on recovery.
If In-Kaged is the product you've been looking for, make sure to buy it from reputable retailers online.
#5. Optimum Nutrition BCAA 1000
We're ending this list with BCAA 1000 capsules by Optimum Nutrition. These are different from the other products mentioned on our list, as this is a capsulated supplement.
If you don't like powdered products, or perhaps you're on the road a lot, these BCAA capsules are an excellent option. They're convenient and hold 1000mg of branched-chain amino acids per two capsules.
The only downside to this option is that you'll need many pills to match the amount of BCAAs you would get from the powdered products. You'll easily be taking more than ten capsules to get a moderate amount, so keep that in mind.
Make sure to consume several pills about 30 to 45 minutes before training so that they have plenty of time to be digested.
Optimum Nutrition BCAA capsules are available on the manufacturer's official site and many third-party retailers such as Amazon.
How To Take Your BCAA Supplement
Knowing how to take your BCAA supplement is essential because you're going to want to get the most out of it in terms of benefits.
Taking these products is actually very easy and straightforward.
If you have a BCAA powder on hand, simply mix one leveled scoop of your product with 8 to 12 fl. oz of water.
On training days, either drink it before, during, or after your workout. By consuming it around the time you workout, the nutrients can help repair your muscles more efficiently.
As someone that trains quite frequently, I like drinking Huge BCAA during my workouts. On rest days, drink it at any given time of day. That way, you're also able to boost your entire performance by getting in the amino acids.
If you have BCAA capsules, take the recommended serving size about 30 to 45 minutes before starting your training session.
On rest days, just like with the powder, it doesn't matter when you take them - as long as you get them in.
The difference between powder and capsules is that the capsules take longer to get absorbed by your body. That is why it's recommended to take them about 30 - 45 minutes before starting your workout.
Are BCAA Supplements Safe To Take?
Another thing that might have you worried about is the safety of these products. But the good news is that BCAA supplements are safe and do not come with any side effects.
It's important to know that branched-chain amino acids are found in every-day food sources such as eggs and meat. That means they're
Besides that, research has shown that using BCAA supplements intake of up 35 grams is safe. Since most of these are dosed at between 5 to 10 grams, you'll be completely safe.
You can even stack them with other dietary supplements to maximize your performance. Think of pre-workouts, intra workouts, or muscle-building supplements.
Please note that if you have any pre-existing medical condition, it's highly advised to run the use of these products by your doctor before starting them.
Conclusion
You should include a BCAA supplement as a part of your supplement stash, as it's considered one of the essentials for boosting performance.
They're crucial for speeding up the muscle recovery process, protein synthesis, recovery, and reducing soreness from exercise.
But, you'll need to know which product to buy to reap the benefits. Here's a list of the 5 best bcaa powder supplements of 2021:
- Huge BCAA - Click here to purchase.
- Xtend BCAA
- Alpha Amino
- In-Kaged
- Optimum Nutrition Capsules
These four products are the most stacked, with Huge Nutrition's BCAA being the best at 15 grams per serving.
It'll provide the most amount of amino acids, meaning it will have the most significant impact on your performance.
