The Benefits of BCAA

BCAA, or branched-chain amino acids, are nutrients that are found in food. They provide your body with energy for exercise and other daily activities. BCAAs can also be taken in a supplement form; many athletes choose to do this to help improve their recovery times and encourage muscle growth. However, as with all supplements, there are certain precautions that need to be taken. In this article, we take a look at the benefits of BCAA so you can determine whether it would be worthwhile to add it to your routine. 

Increase muscle gains 

If gaining muscle is part of your goal, then BCAAs can help; they have been shown to help your body to build muscle when combined with the right strength training. BCAAs aren’t a quick fix to getting huge arms and a six-pack, but they can help speed up the process and ensure that your body has everything you need to build these muscles. The body uses BCAAS as a building block to build muscle and improve your body's capacity to build muscle protein. If your gains at the gym aren’t happening as quickly as you’d like, try adding a BCAA supplement to your diet. 

Reduce exercise-related fatigue 

There have been several studies that show how BCAAs impact fatigue during exercise. Most studies have concluded that consuming a BCAA supplement before working out will help to reduce fatigue during exercise. This can be incredibly beneficial to athletes that want to increase the time they’re able to train without becoming fatigued. Being able to train longer can give them the opportunity to work on more areas of their body and get to their goal quicker. If you find that you become fatigued too early into your training session, try taking a BCAA supplement an hour before you start your workout; you might be surprised at the impact it has on your level of fatigue.

Reduce muscle soreness

Muscle soreness is something that all athletes have to deal with; it can be very frustrating and can prolong your recovery time and the time between workouts. One way to reduce muscle soreness is to add a BCAA supplement to your diet. The effects can vary between individuals, but many people see a decrease in muscle soreness when taking a BCAA supplement. This can help you get on with your daily life and may mean you need less recovery time before you can train again. 

Weight loss benefits 

Among the many BCAA benefits is the increased ability to lose weight; this supplement has been shown to help people lose body fat, and those that take BCAA supplements are less likely to be overweight. More research is needed in this area to see the benefits of weight loss and how this compares to a high-protein diet. However, if you’re trying to lose weight and also want to build muscle, adding a BCAA supplement to your diet could be beneficial and help you to reach your goals. 

Liver health

Studies have shown that BCAAs can improve liver function and contribute to better overall liver health. If you have a condition that impacts your liver, you might benefit from a BCAA supplement. If there is a history of liver issues in your family, taking a BCAA supplement may even reduce your chances of having liver issues. However, if you do have liver problems, you should always speak to your doctor before adding any supplements to your diet. They will advise on what is best for your individual needs and conditions.

BCAAs have many benefits for athletes and benefits for other people. Gaining muscle is the main reason people take BCAA supplements. However, they can also help with weight loss, reduce muscle soreness, reduce exercise fatigue and even support liver function. There are lots of BCAA supplements on the market you can choose from, and you can also get BCAAs through your diet. If you do choose to take a BCAA supplement, make sure you purchase from a known retailer with positive reviews and a good reputation. Always follow the instructions and only consume the recommended amount of BCAA; too much can cause issues such as nausea, headaches and more serious issues if you take too much for a long period of time.