Eaas vs bcaa which is best for you?

Eaas vs bcaa which is best for you?

Are you an athlete looking to improve your performance and maximise your results? If so, you’ve probably experimented with different training plans, workouts, and diets to see how you can set new PRs and outcomes. 

Changing different routines probably also involves interacting with EAAs, essential amino acids, and BCAAs, branched-chain amino acids. 

But have you ever wondered out of Eaa vs Bca which is best for you? Today, explore Eaas and bcaas together, as well as their advantages, disadvantages, and differences. Learn everything you need to know to decide which is best for your training. 

What are EAAS? 

Essential Amino Acids (ECAAs) are the building blocks of protein your muscles, hormones and neurotransmitters need! There are 20 amino acids you can obtain from your diet, most of which can be found in your body. Outside of that group, there are 9 amino acids that your body cannot synthesize. 

These amino acids are:

  • Leucine: Leucine is a BCAA that supports protein synthesis, muscle repair, wound healing and growth hormones.

  • Isoleucine: This amino acid helps support muscle metabolism and is mainly found in muscle tissue. It's important for hemoglobin production, immune function, and energy. 

  • Valine: Contributes to muscle growth and energy production. 

  • Lysine: Responsible for protein synthesis, calcium absorption, and production of enzymes and hormones. It plays a vital role in immune function, energy production, collagen and elastin.

  • Phenylalanine: Converted into neurotransmitters such as dopamine, tyrosine, epinephrine and norepinephrine. Plays a vital role in the structure and function of proteins, enzymes and other amino acids. 

  • Threonine: A part of protein such as collagen and elastin, which help your connective tissue and skin. This hormone plays a role in fat metabolism and immune function. 

  • Histidine: This amino acid is used to make histamine, a neurotransmitter essential for digestion, immune response, sexual health, and sleep-wake cycles. 

  • Tryptophan: A precursor for serotonin, a neurotransmitter that helps regulate your appetite, mood and sleep. 

  • Methionine: Supports your metabolism and the body's detoxification process. 

What are BCAAs?

Branched-chain amino acids (BCAAS) are a group of three essential amino acids. They are leucine, isoline, and valine, which are important for your muscles. BCAAS are only found in whole foods meats such as chicken, salmon, beef, egg, fish, proteins, tofu, nuts and more. Your body cannot produce BCAAs alone. 

Fun Fact: Your muscle proteins are primarily made up of 20%-25% of BCAAs. They play an important role in how your muscles are built, responding to fatigue and soreness. BCAAS encourages glucose uptake and helps support your skeletal muscle which supports muscle recovery and energy levels. 

To know more about BCAAS in greater detail, check out our post- The Science Behind BCAAs

Eaas and Bcaa difference

To really understand eaa vs bcaa which is best for you? Then we need to really explore and dive in on the key differences, and to do that we have to look at their advantages first. 

EAAs Benefits 

We could be here writing blog posts for days about Eaa pros and cons. 

However, in short, EEAs help with:

  • Reversing muscle catabolism (a process where your body breaks down muscle) and promoting muscle anabolism (a process where your body builds tissue). 

  • Reduce muscle damage and soreness, which helps you perform better.

  • Supporting a healthy immune system.

  • Production of digestive enzymes.

  • Influencing your mood and cognitive capabilities. 

BCAA Benefits

The benefits of taking BCAA supplements are: 

  • They can help increase muscle protein synthesis, preventing breakdown from intense workouts

  • They may help improve endurance and exercise performance.

  • Provides essential energy during exercise 

  • Can reduce physical and mental fatigue 

Differences between EAAS and BCAAS

There are a few differences between EAAs and BCAAs. While both are essential for your health and performance, there are subtle differences in terms of their composition, benefits, and usage. Let’s look at them side by side.


BCAAS

EAAS

Composition

Three amino acids are leucine, isoleucine and valine. Hold a branched chain structure.

Nine amino acids.

Benefits

Mainly used to reduce muscle breakdown in exercise. 

Supports protein synthesis and overall health. 

Metabolism 

Metabolism, mainly in the skeletal muscle, bypasses the liver metabolism and enters your bloodstream. 

Mainly metabolised in the liver; however, they provide extensive support to the whole body. 

Usage 

Ideal for those who want to reduce muscle soreness and enhance athletic performance during intense workouts. 

Individuals who want to build muscle mass and protect overall health as they need a broader range of EEAS. 

Should I use ecaa or bcaa?

If you're thinking along the lines of Eaa vs bcaa which is best… then we can't suggest which you should be using. To be honest it completely depends on your fitness goals. Both are power houses packed with nutrition and can be transformative for peak performance.

But the choice you make comes down to the bottom line of what you want to achieve with your fitness.

Just like the table mentioned above, EAAs are best for building muscle mass. Whereas if you're performance driven then BCAAs are better suited and can reduce muscle soreness. Moreover if you're wanting a complete nutritional intake, then EAAs provide a full spectrum of amino acids helping you. 

On the contrary, EAAs do tend to hold more calories, which if you're on a calorie deficit BCAAs may be more suited for your lifestyle.

Can you take BCAA and EAA together? 

At Go Nutrition, we fully recommend combining BCAAs and EAAs whenever possible. Apart from meeting protein needs and combining them, they serve as a dynamic duo that can maximize the benefits for your muscle growth, recovery, and performance. 

They actually work in synergy, preventing muscle catabolism, and can help you build lean muscle mass. Taking them before or after your workout can enhance your performance and recovery rapidly.

Try our Recovery Blend 

At Go Nutrition we’re all about the results, which is why we strongly recommend combining both BCAAs and EAAs with our Recovery Blend .Together they go beyond meeting your training needs, they work in synergy to rapidly replenish your amino acid levels, nourish your muscles, provides essential support for protein synthesis, decreases the onset of DOMS and boosts your performance. 

The best part? Go Nutrition Recovery Blend comes in two refreshing flavours: tropical and raspberry. Making it not only a rewarding drink to have post workout, but one that delights your palette. 

Not to mention, it’s cost effective too. With Go Nutrition Recovery Blend you don’t have to purchase EAAs and BCAAs separately, with them being both combined in one they’re cost effective and practical. 

Eaa vs bcaa which is best - The bottom line 

Overall, when it comes to EAAs vs BCAAs it’s not about which is better. These two powerhouses work even better together. 

If you want to go beyond progression and make the most out of your training, combine both EAAs and BCAAS together. They can help reduce muscle breakdown, support protein synthesis, and skyrocket your overall health.

Got big fitness goals for 2025 to smash or a competition lined up? Try our Go Nutrition Recovery Blend. Our tried, tested, proven and science backed formula brings the best of both to fuel your fitness journey. 

Are you a hybrid athlete who’s eager to know other ways to help you make the most out of your training? You might want to take pre-workout powder - learn about its benefits here.

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