What is BCAA - branched-chain amino acids

Supplements containing BCAAs, or branched-chain amino acids, are popular with bodybuilders and athletes for boosting muscle growth and performance

BCAAs are essential amino acids. The three BCAAs are leucine, isoleucine, and valine.

The body uses amino acids to make proteins, which are the building blocks of every cell, tissue, and organ. Amino acids and proteins also play a crucial role in metabolism.

There are 20 amino acids, of which nine are essential. The body cannot make essential amino acids, so a person needs to get them from their diet.

In this article, we discuss some potential health benefits of BCAAs. We also describe sources of these amino acids and possible risks.

Exercise performance

BCAA supplements may help improve exercise performance.

Taking BCAA supplements may help reduce exercise fatigue and improve endurance.

BCAA supplementation also improved energy metabolism and lowered levels of substances that indicate muscle damage, such as creatine kinase and lactate dehydrogenase.

The researchers concluded that BCAA can improve exercise performance.