BCAA
BCAA stands for Branched-Chain Amino Acids: the trio of leucine, isoleucine and valine. They make up about a third of muscle protein and trigger most of the immediate muscle-building signal after a meal. Any quality whey already contains 5 to 6 grams of BCAAs per serve.
Why It Matters
BCAAs were the breakthrough sports-supplement category of the 2000s, but the research has matured. If you already eat enough complete protein, a separate BCAA supplement adds very little. The exceptions: fasted training, very low-protein diets, and ultra-long endurance work where carrying intact protein is impractical.
How to Spot It on a Label
Tubs that brag about BCAA grams on the front are typically whey or whey-isolate products. Look for the per-serve BCAA total in the amino profile. A 25g whey serve delivers around 5.5 to 6g BCAAs. Separate BCAA powders show a 2:1:1 ratio (leucine to isoleucine to valine).
Examples from real products
Related Terms
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