BCAA
Benefits of BCAA
- Exercise
- Muscle protein synthesis
- Muscle
- Food sources: Protein-rich plant foods such as soya and tofu, lentils, chickpeas, beans, quinoa, nuts and seeds.
What is BCAA?
Branched chain amino acids (BCAA) are three amino acids: leucine, isoleucine and valine. They are essential amino acids, which means the body can't make them, so they need to come from food. Amino acids are the building blocks of protein, and BCAA play a key role in how the body builds and repairs muscle.
What does the research say about BCAA?
BCAA have been widely studied in the context of exercise, training and recovery, and during periods of calorie restriction. Leucine in particular activates the pathways involved in muscle protein synthesis, the process of building new muscle protein. This makes BCAA of interest to athletes, active people and anyone thinking about their muscles as they age.