If you are serious about health and fitness, you probably have heard about BCAAs or branched-chain amino acids. BCAAs are proven to promote muscle growth and boost gains at the gym. Keep reading to learn more about the benefits of BCAAs.
What Are BCAAs?
BCAAs contain the essential amino acids, isoleucine, valine, and leucine, which comprise about a third of your body’s muscle protein. Your body does not make these amino acids on its own and instead, must be found in food and workout supplements. Considered the building blocks of protein, BCCAs preserve muscle glycogen stores, which in turn power your muscles. In short, BCAAs maximize your workouts so that you gain muscle faster without wearing your body down.
What Do BCAAs Do?
Once your workout is complete, BCAAs spur recovery — particularly when paired with carbs. When shopping for BCAAs, look for a product with a higher ratio of leucine to isoleucine and valine because leucine is shown to be the key ingredient in promoting muscle growth. By stimulating muscle growth and aiding in recovery, BCAAs see more immediate dividends while also safeguarding your body from wearing out too quickly.
How To Consume BCAAs
BCAAs are unique in that they can be consumed throughout the day in both off-the-shelf food products and as a supplement. Foods that are high in isoleucine include brown rice, almonds, and cashews while dairy, grains, mushrooms and peanuts are high in valine. Red meat, fish, eggs, chicken, and soy are all excellent sources of BCAAs. Additionally, supplements can be purchased in either soft-gel variants or powder that can be mixed with water or protein drinks to get an extra boost of BCAAs.
As with any fitness regimen, the best results will be achieved with a combination of exercise, rest, and proper diet so be sure to incorporate each of those elements into your workout plan.
When it comes to finding the best supplements and foods containing BCAAs, The Bee Hive Natural Foods in Poplar Bluff, MO is your local source. We pride ourselves in educating our customers on how to achieve a healthier lifestyle and can offer recommendations on the best healthy foods and products on the market. The Bee Hive Natural Foods offers a comprehensive selection of natural and organic foods, homeopathic supplies, meats, and even wine-making supplies. Stop by today and learn more about the BCAAs we use personally and recommend to our customers.