What Happens To Your Body When You Take BCAAs Every Day
Believe it or not, there was a time when sports supplements, such as protein shakes, were not as mainstream as they are today. It used to be that athletes and fitness enthusiasts were the people found replenishing their bodies with vitamin drinks and branched chain amino acids (BCAAs), but more people are reaping the rewards of these products as research shows their benefits.
BCAAs are essential nutrients that everyone needs for optimal health, but they are not naturally made by the body, so leucine, isoleucine, and valine must be obtained from food or supplements. These building blocks of protein are widely known for their support in muscle recovery, including decreasing muscle damage and reducing soreness (via Healthline).
According to a study published in the Frontiers of Physiology Journal, supplementing with BCAAs post-workout is a great way to support muscle growth by stimulating muscle protein synthesis. However, for ideal muscle growth and recovery, Healthline reports that the body needs all 20 of the amino acids together, which can be found in a whey protein supplement.
It may surprise you to know that the benefits of daily BCAA consumption doesn't stop with muscle health.
Health benefits of BCAAs
Supplementing with BCAAs daily can help support the immune system. Anytime your body becomes fatigued, it can impact the immune system, which makes you more susceptible to getting sick. One study published in the Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise journal found that daily supplementation of BCAAs in triathlon athletes decreased their risk of getting sick by nearly 34%, compared with those who did not.
Furthermore, research published in the Journal of Animal Science and Biotechnology suggests that BCAAs can be used by immune cells as a fuel source, which boosts the immune system and helps protect against harmful pathogens.
According to Healthline, BCAAs have also been used to help those living with liver disease, offering a decrease in symptoms, and have even been used with success in a hospital setting to support those with liver disease and in some instances to slow the loss of muscle mass.
While more research is needed to solidify these findings, your body does in fact need amino acids for optimal health. Try adding BCAAs to your daily diet, either with amino acid rich foods, like quinoa and eggs, or in supplement form, such as whey protein powder (via WebMD).