Branch chain amino acids are the full form of BCAAs. Now, what are BCAAs and what do they do?
Here, in this article we’ll take a look at how BCAAs are made and obtained and what are the advantages it provides.
Let’s understand, what are BCAAs?
Amino acids, as we know builds protein and responsible for the various functions in our body. Leucine, isoleucine, and valine are the three BCAAs and because of their branched carbon configuration they are called branch chained amino acids (BCAA). They are either produced inside the body or taken from the food we take.
Now let’s look at the functions, which BCAAs do;
MUSCLE GROWTH
BCAAs help in the growth of the muscles. Leucine is the amino acid that stimulates muscle protein synthesis, which is responsible for muscle growth. According to a study, if you consume 5.6 grams of BCAAs after your workout, your muscle growth will increase by up to 22%. However, for better results, it is advised that you take all the essential BCAAs for proper muscle growth.
REDUCES SORENESS IN MUSCLES
It is obvious to feel soreness in the muscles after a workout session. However, the intake of BCAAs decreases the soreness in muscles you feel after work out. If you’ve recently started to work out, it is common to feel soreness after 12 to 24 hours and it can last up to 72 hours. This is called DOMS (delayed onset muscle soreness). According to some studies, supplements available in BCAAs helps in reducing DOMS.
DECREASES FATIGUE RATE AFTER WORKOUT
Most people often get confused between muscle soreness and workout fatigue and consider them as one thing, but it is not. BCAAs help in reducing the exercise fatigue of the body observed during a workout. Researches suggest that people who take BCAAs feel less fatigue, as it helps in increasing mental focus during a workout session. However, it is not proved that it increases your performance during exercise. But BCAAs surely helps in focusing during a workout.
PREVENTS MUSCLE BREAK DOWN
Intake of BCAAs helps in preventing the break down of muscles. The tendency of muscle protein is to break down and rebuild constantly. BCAAs keeps the balance between this process. When muscle breakdown exceeds the rebuild of it, it is time to include BCAAs in your diet. Breakdown of muscles is a part of aging, but it can also happen due to malnutrition and diseases. Intake of supplements present in BCAAs prevents this breakdown of muscle protein, which in turn helps in growing muscles by slowing down the breakdown.
IMPROVES OVERALL HEALTH AND BENEFITS PEOPLE WITH DISEASES
BCAAs help in creating protein in the body, which is responsible for the improvement of muscle growth, helps in strengthening bones. People suffering from diseases related to liver and bones can be benefited from the intake of BCAAs. Amino acids help in decreasing muscle fatigue and increases the rate of building muscles, which improves our muscular system and increases resistance towards diseases.