BCAA & Benefits | How to use bcaa | BCAA while intermittent fasting | 5 best BCAAs for intermittent fasting
Planning to introduce BCAAs to your intermittent fasting regiment? Feeling confused with so many choices out there? Here are the 5 Best BCAA supplements for intermittent fasting and how to use them.
You’re not the only one.
Here at 21 Day Hero intermittent fasting community, we’ve heard many fasting fans using BCAA to combat fatigue before workout sessions and pack more muscle while fasting. Still, anyone looking to add BCAA to their intermittent fasting regime might have a couple of questions. Here’s what we will cover in this article:
- What is BCAA and what is it used for
- How to use BCAA supplements
- Can you take BCAA while fasting and how to do it right
- The 5 best BCAA for intermittent fasting
5 Best BCAA Supplements For Intermittent Fasting
- Nutricost BCAA Powder
- Optimum BCAA Capsules 1000mg 400
- The Genius Brand: BCAA Powder
- Mutant: BCAA Powder
- Naked BCAA Powder
BCAAs (Branched-Chain Amino Acids) are a group of three essential amino acids: leucine, isoleucine and valine. These amino acids are particularly important for our muscles. Due to their rapid absorption into the bloodstream, BCAAs increase muscle growth and repair, improve exercise performance and reduce fatigue during workouts.
The body can’t make these essential amino acids; therefore, you have to get them from your diet. Rich dietary sources of BCAAs include meat, dairy, egg, poultry, fish, legumes, nuts and other foods rich in protein. Usually, a balanced diet will contain all the essential amino acids needed to build muscle.
However, when doing intermittent fasting, you might not be able to replenish BCAAs as quickly, especially for women. Intermittent fasting means a limited eating window; therefore, it’s not as easy to consume the same amount of food, which is why considering the best amino acids for women could be beneficial.
Particularly for anyone combining intermittent fasting and exercise, BCAA can become their new favorite supplement. Studies show that BCAA supplements reduce exercise fatigue and improve endurance resulting in more enjoyable and productive workouts. Using BCAA as a supplement also helps with muscle growth and reduces the annoying post-workout soreness.
How to use BCAA supplements
The most common form of BCAA supplements is powder. It can be mixed with water or any other liquid and is often drunk before, during or after the workout. It can be a refreshing drink whilst you train and help you stay hydrated and energized at the same time.
Usually, there are 6 grams of BCAAs per serving, but to understand the best BCAA dosage and concentration, check the instructions before mixing your first BCAA drink. Some people enjoy adding BCAA to their protein shakes or post-workout smoothies.
BCAA also comes in the form of capsules. This is a convenient way to use BCAA, especially if you’re not a fan of BCAA taste or available flavors. Check the instructions of the specific product to understand the best dosage.
Sounds quite promising? Let’s take a look at what’s the best way to use BCAA when doing intermittent fasting.
Can you take BCAA while intermittent fasting?
BCAAs are molecularly the exact same as protein, but while protein is made up of 20 amino acids, BCAA contains 3 of them. Nevertheless, most BCAAs still contain calories; therefore using BCAA will break your fast. If you’re sticking to strict intermittent fasting, you should use BCAA supplements during your eating window.
However, you can evaluate what is your goal for intermittent fasting.
If you are in search of the best BCAA for weight loss and want to maximize weight loss with a strict fasting schedule, it’s better to use BCAA during the eating window.
On the other hand, if you are doing heavy exercising, looking to build muscle or often feeling fatigue during exercise, you can consider using BCAA supplements such as the best BCAA for men during your fasting window workouts. The benefits of using BCAA to increase your performance and improve workout sessions can be worth breaking the fast.
The 5 best BCAAs for intermittent fasting – the Best BCAA supplements
Most likely, you won’t find BCAA in your local supermarket. The most convenient place to buy this trendy supplement is definitely online. To spare your time researching endless BCAA supplement options, I’ve listed the 5 best BCAAs for intermittent fasting.
I took into account the quality of ingredients, popularity and reviews from current customers. Of course, all the BCAAs had to be intermittent fasting friendly and have high-quality ingredients.
Here’s the list for you to choose from.
#1 Nutricost BCAA Powder
BCAA often comes in a powder form. This is my go to BCAA Powder due to cost and purity. And a great price!
It is suggested to take 1 Scoop of Nutricost BCAA Powder 45-60 min pre-workout to get the energy boost right when hitting the gym. When using BCAA powder after the workout, they will help recover quicker and reduce the usual soreness.
Why I Liked It:
- Odorless and has no taste
- Doesn’t have any colorants, sweeteners or additional ingredients – just pure BCAA
#2 Optimum BCAA Capsules 1000mg 400 count
This is one of the most popular BCAA supplements on Amazon and has a big fan base. Just take 2 capsules of these BCAAs to support your muscles while working out. It doesn’t contain any sugar or carbohydrates, so it will work great if you’re following keto intermittent fasting plan.
For anyone looking for some flavor, this BCAA might be the one. Optimum BCAA Capsules comes in 17 various flavors. You can choose anything from Margarita to Freedom Ice.
Why I Liked It:
- Easy to swallow Capsules
- One of the most popular BCAA on the market
#3 The Genius Brand: BCAA Powder
This BCAA emphasizes both the physical and mental benefits of BCAA. The Genius Brand BCAA powder also has caffeine and taurine in their formula, which means you can expect an increased focus, energy and healthy brain function.
In the reviews, customers praise The Genius BCAA’s taste and natural ingredients. No fillers, dyes or artificial flavors in this BCAA, plus it’s also vegan. This is a great choice if you’re looking for more natural BCAA and would enjoy more focus and mental power just as much as increased physical performance.
Why I Liked It:
- Additional ingredients that improve brain function and mental focus
- Natural ingredients and vegan-friendly BCAA
- Nice “Grape Limeade” flavor
This BCAA is for real gym addicts to take the muscle building and post-workout recovery to another level. Mutant BCAA Powder is more concentrated and each scoop will support your body with 9.7 grams of amino acids. Their formula also has a blend of eight electrolytes to help maintain hydration and ensure healthy workout sessions.
BCAA shouldn’t be a challenge to drink. Therefore Mutant BCAA has a wide variety of flavors to choose from. Peached Iced Tea sounds like the most refreshing one for hot exercise days.
Why I Liked It:
- Concentrated BCAA powder with 9.7 grams of BCAA in a serving
- Has 8 electrolytes to ensure a healthy electrolyte balance in the body
- Various flavors to choose from
#5 Naked BCAA Powder
Naked BCAAs are one of the most popular powders on Amazon. After all Optimum Nutrition is one of the biggest names in the supplement industry.
Use this powder between meals, before training, or after finishing your workout to improve your daily intake of amino acids for muscle support.
This powder is super pure, and works great to optimize your workouts
Why I Liked It:
- Simple and convenient BCAA in powder
- Pure and reliable company for workout supplements
Conclusion – Best BCAA’s for Fasting
I personally love the Nutricost BCAA powder. No additives, disolves nicely, tastes ok, and does the job! I really like using BCAA’s pre and post workout, helps my muscles to recover, and my growth has been very nice over the years.
Keep working out hard, and happy fasting!
