19
Considered
167
of Research
53
Examined
12
Interviewed
Branched-chain amino acids, or BCAAs, have long been the secret weapon of high-performance athletes to get the most out of their recovery phases.
These days, BCAA additive are no longer just available for top athletes, but it can be challenging to pick the right one in a market full of poor-quality products.
When it comes to choosing the best BCAA supplements for women, you have to focus on quality over quantity, and that’s what I, as a certified fitness trainer, have spent the last nine months doing.
After researching online reviews, speaking with nutritionists and dieticians, and working directly with some of our team members and my wife, I have come up with a list that will make your decision-making easier.
If you stick with one of these, you’ll most likely see excellent results, such as muscle gain.
Our Top Best BCAAs for Women (September 2023)
1 - Transparent Labs BCAA (Editor's Choice)
When it comes to choosing the best BCAA supplements, quality should always be top of your list and always trump quantity.
Transparent Labs BCAA CoreSeries have managed to become a leading name when it comes to the quality of the ingredients, which means you get better results from the same amount of BCAA.
The combination of glutamine and 3 different BCAAs in this Glutamine BCAA additive helps to speed up your body’s ability to process glucose, stimulate muscle protein synthesis, and create various BCAAs needed for building and repairing muscles [1,2].
After speaking to lots of users online and at the gym, the Transparent Labs BCAA stands out from the rest.
- Selected BCAA ingredients have all been clinically proven to help repair and recover muscle tissue
- Speed up muscle recovery time
- Helps speed up glucose metabolism for increased energy
- Free from artificial additives for flavor and color
- Not available in an unflavored option
The best BCAA supplements are absorbed fast, and you will notice that the effects of the burn are gone within just a few hours after taking Transparent Labs BCAA.
Get 10% off using coupon code: TOTALSHAPE
2 - Double Wood Supplements Essential Amino Acids
Essential amino acids are acquired only through diet because your body does not produce them.
Double Wood Supplements offers a dietary supplement with all nine essential amino acids vital to many body functions, including protein synthesis, muscle recovery, and nutrient absorption.
Essential amino acid supplementation is excellent for women in conjunction with a low-calorie diet to lose weight while gaining muscle.
Many users report an improvement in skin condition and menopausal symptoms, including hot flashes with the use of Double Wood Supplements.
Like Double Wood’s other supplements, Essential Amino Acids is made in the United States in a GMP-certified facility and third-party tested for transparency.
- It contains all nine essential amino acids
- Made in the U.S.A. in a GMP-certified facility
- Third-party tested for quality transparency
- Gelatin capsule not suitable for vegans/vegetarians
The manufacturer’s dosage instructions state 3-10 branched-chain amino acids capsules daily, dependent on how protein-rich a user’s diet is. The daily dose should not exceed 12 capsules.
We like that the daily range allows the user to tailor the dosage to their needs.
3 - Cellucor C4 BCAA Sport
Cellucor C4 BCAA Sport provides the essential nutrients and amino acids you need to get the most from your workouts.
Branched-chain amino acids cannot be produced by the body, so you need to obtain them from outside sources.
The problem is, most of us don't get all the BCAA supplements we actually need to build lean, strong muscles just from our diet [3].
Check out other Cellucor C4 products here.
- Solid doses of caffeine, creatine nitrate, and beta-alanine
- Helps improve blood flow and endurance to support your workout and muscle growth
- Vitamin C may have an antioxidant effect
- Contains artificial flavor and sweeteners
That's where Cellucor C4 BCAA Sport BCAA powder comes in. It provides all 3 of the key BCAAs and also tosses in beta-alanine as well, which the body uses to provide energy and stamina during physical exertion.
4 - BPI Sports Best BCAA
BCAA supplements should not come wrapped in carbs or sugar or other calories.
Ideally, they're provided as close to their natural state as possible, so there is nothing interfering with your ability to enjoy the BCAA supplements benefits. And that’s what BPI Sports Best BCAA provides.
This branched-chain amino acids powder contains enough branched-chain amino acids to help you recover faster from exhausting workouts and build the muscles you want.
- 5 grams of BCAAs per serving
- Better than average taste
- Shortens recovery and minimizes post-workout muscle soreness to support muscle growth
- Contains artificial flavors
We liked that BPI Sports Best BCAA additive is available in a variety of different flavors and sporting zero carbs or calories.
5 - Amino Slim
The makers of Amino Slim are serious about providing you with a BCAA shake that is both effective and delicious.
It is a branched-chain amino acids powder for women that enables you to create larger, leaner muscle mass and recover from your workouts and tastes good enough to enjoy as the days stretch into months.
We appreciated that this powder is free of caffeine and other stimulants, so you don't have to worry about upset stomachs or insomnia.
- Contains all the important amino acid nutrients
- Helps promote rapid recovery and prevents muscle breakdown after workouts
- Ashwagandha enables relaxing sleep
- 100% caffeine-free
- Only available online
Aside from essential amino acid nutrients, Amino Slim also includes ashwagandha in its formulation so you'll feel a great sense of relaxation for the recuperative sleep you need [4].
6 - Evlution Nutrition BCAA5000
Each recommended 5-gram dose of Evlutoin Nutrition BCAA5000 contains all the essential BCAAs your body requires to help you achieve the results you want from your workouts.
There are three amino acids namely leucine valine and isoleucine, in every scoop which are the most important in muscle protein synthesis to build strong, durable muscles.
You can also watch this video review to learn more about Evlution Nutrition BCAA5000 powder
- BCAA powder helps avoid muscle soreness and muscle breakdown
- Enables fast recovery for better muscle growth
- Increases stamina, so you get more from your workouts
- Contains sucralose and artificial coloring
There are no gimmicks or hidden caffeine that could come back later and disrupt your sleep with this branched-chain amino acids product.
7 - NLA for Her - Her Aminos
As women’s bodies are by nature less bulky than those of guys, they don’t require the same BCAA dosages, and the best BCAA supplement for women takes this reality into account.
NLA for Her doesn't overload you with branched-chain amino acids your body won't absorb. Instead, it provides the correct amount along with other, non-BCAAs that are still vital to muscle performance.
With NLA for Her, our clients reported having gotten generous pumps and the ability to wake up the day after without feeling sore.
- Eases your experience between workouts
- Helps build larger, leaner muscles
- Anti-catabolic properties offset muscle wasting
- No caffeine
- Contains sucralose
The branched chain amino acids formula here is specially designed to minimize tissue damage and prevent lean muscle mass wasting that sometimes occurs during strenuous workouts.
8 - FitMiss Women's BCAA
FitMiss understands most women don't want to look like a 30-year-old Arnold Schwarzenegger.
FitMiss also understands that women want to look lean and fit and always have extra reserves of strength on hand.
FitMiss BCAA supplement for women powder supports rapid workout recovery and the building of strong, lean muscle mass that provide the stamina you need whenever you are working out.
- No carbs, sugar or calories
- A full 6 grams of essential BCAAs per serving
- Noticeably better results from your workouts
- No banned substances
- Contains some artificial ingredients
We liked that the FitMiss BCAA supplement contains three amino acids, namely isoleucine, valine, and leucine, that join forces to improve your overall health.
9 - IdealLean BCAAs for Women
The ideal BCAA supplementation is two parts leucine, 1 part isoleucine, and 1 part valine, and that's precisely what you get with IdealLean BCAAs for Women.
This branched chain amino acid mixture ensures you'll recover quickly and hit the gym stronger next time.
Green tea extract also promotes stamina and other amino acid nutrients to help promote blood flow and oxygen distribution when your workouts are at their most strenuous [5].
- Contains all the BCAAs your body needs
- Promotes increased blood flow
- You’ll feel stronger and more alert
- Proprietary blend hides ingredient amounts
If there's a downside here, it's the proprietary blend they invoke with regard to some of these other ingredients. We believe in transparency when it comes to important supplements.
Related Article:
What Are BCAAs and What Do They Do?
Branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) are essential amino acids that play a vital role in muscle building and repair. They may also enhance exercise performance, aid weight loss, and reduce exercise fatigue.
The body produces nearly 2 dozen different alpha amino acids and nutritionists put them into 2 categories: essential and non-essential.
"Essential" in this case refers to whether the body can synthesize them or whether you need to obtain them through dietary means, which would make them "essential" to your diet [6].
These alpha amino acids, however, play a key role in the production of strong, resilient muscles and without an adequate supply, your workout efforts are bound to yield unsatisfactory results.
Why Should Women Take BCAAs?
Women should take BCAAs to support their overall muscle health. We explain it in more detail below.
1. To maintain health as you age - As we've said, you can't build new, lean, strong muscles unless you are getting sufficient quantities of BCAAs either in the food you eat or through supplementation.
Staying strong as we age is fundamental to our quality of life and women who workout and use a BCAA supplement have stronger, leaner bodies compared to those who don't.
2. Reduced muscle soreness - If there is one thing all people who engage in strenuous exercise have in common, it's soreness the next day. BCAA supplements provide your muscles with the proteins they need to rebuild rapidly and stave off that day-after soreness [7]. It's an important benefit when you want to recover faster and get into more frequent workouts.
3. Greater endurance - Another thing many women who engage in strenuous workouts have in common is hitting the performance wall where your body simply refuses to push any further. Breaking through these barriers is crucial to building the leaner, stronger body you're after and the highest quality BCAA supplements for women supplements will help you do just that.
4. More stable blood sugar levels - The best BCAAs for women also help you stabilize blood glucose levels by improving and stabilizing your metabolic rate. A slightly faster, more stable metabolism is one that makes more effective use of blood glucose and prevents dips and spikes in blood sugar.
5. A longer life - It sounds like quite a statement to make, but it's true. The leaner you are, the better your chances to live to your lifespan potential. Think about it. How many people in their 70s and 80s have you seen obese?
What are the Potential BCAA Side Effects?
Potential side effects of BCAAs are uncommon, but there are some reports of:
- Fatigue - When this happens, it’s usually because women get over-enthusiastic seeing their BCAA results and push themselves too hard. There’s nothing wrong with tough workouts. Just be sure to let yourself recover from one before performing another.
- Lower insulin resistance - The essential amino acids can be converted to glucose. And they likely will be if they are not put to some sort of productive use. Therefore using BCAA supplements on days, you aren’t working out is probably not a good idea.
- Stomachaches - Consuming too much of just about anything creates the possibility of upsetting your stomach and BCAAs are no exception. Use only as directed.
- Blood ammonia surge - Excessive amounts of leucine can cause blood ammonia concentrations to surge. Again, use only as much of your BCAA additt as is recommended [8].
When to Take BCAAs?
BCAAs should be taken before a workout. You can expect the level of BCAAs in your blood to peak half an hour after using one of the above best BCAA supplements.
This, however, is not necessarily a reliable indicator of what constitutes the best time to take them.
Some research suggests that you have about an hour to take advantage of the BCAA supplements once they peak while other research suggests they may linger in your blood in a useful state for up to 5 hours.
Since everyone's physiology, including their metabolism, is slightly different the best advice is to try different times and see which one provides optimal benefits of BCAAs for you.
How Much BCAAs Should I Take?
You should take 3 to 5 grams of BCAAs on your light to moderate workout days. But if you engage in a rigorous weight training regime, you may want to take up to 10 or even 12 grams of BCAAs each workout day.
If you must take higher doses, you can divide your intake into 3 or 4 shakes spread out over the day.
As we mentioned earlier, however, taking a BCAA additive for women on non-workout days is likely to be counterproductive.
Regardless, consider asking a dietician or nutritionist for more information about the proper dosage for your BCAA supplement. It ensures you get the most out of its muscle gain benefits.
FAQs
Is BCAA Supplement for Women Worth It?
Yes, a BCAA supplement for women is worth it. Using this product will support many metabolic and muscle recovery functions, help improve endurance and strength, and speed up your recovery.
Which Is Better for Women: Creatine or BCAA?
BCAA is better for women unless you’re specifically trying to bulk up some added muscle. BCAAs will support some additional endurance during your training and help your muscles recover faster from a high-intensity workout. Creatine, on the other hand, will only promote more muscle growth.
Should Women Take Creatine With BCAA?
Women should take creatine with BCAA if they are in a bulking phase of their workout routine. The two products will complement each other by improving strength, endurance, recovery time, and the creation of new tissue.
Does BCAA Supplement for Women Make You Gain Weight?
No, BCAA supplement for women does not make you gain weight as their main function is to support increased energy levels and faster recovery times. Unless you’re in a bulking phase where your body is replacing stored body fat with heavier muscle fibers, you shouldn’t see a weight increase due to BCAA consumption.
Should Women Drink BCAA Every Day?
No, women should not drink BCAA every day unless they are in a very high-intensity training phase and work out every day. Less intense recovery or simple cardio days don't require a BCAA boost as your body won’t be as reliant on these amino acids.
How Much BCAA Should Women Take Daily?
Women should take about 9 grams of BCAA daily, especially during intense workout days. A good reference point is to aim for 80 mg per one pound of body weight.
Recommended post:
Which BCAA Supplement for Women Should You Take?
Of all the above products, there is one that has come to stand out the most.
Both my wife and Tracy (our content editor) have spent about 2 months taking Performance Lab BCAA after every single workout.
They both reported that the initial muscle stiffness after high-intensity training is gone very quickly. As my wife usually goes to the gym in the morning, this means that she doesn’t feel as stiff at work, which is a good thing.
Give this product a try and remember to post your results on our social pages.
Our #1 BCAA for Women
Transparent Labs BCAA
- Selected BCAA ingredients have all been clinically proven to help repair and recover muscle tissue
- Speed up muscle recovery time
- Helps speed up glucose metabolism for increased energy
- Free from artificial additives for flavor and color
- Get 10% off using code: TOTALSHAPE
- Not available in an unflavored option
Enjoyed this article? See our recommended BCAAs for men here.
About The Author
You May Also Like
Love how you showed the pros and cons of each product. Personally, I am sticking with just taking more servings of impact whey!
Women BCAAs are a wonderful supplement for women because it helps us maintain or increase muscle mass for leaner body composition and all of the health benefits that come with it.
I think this would be great for my girl. I’m trying to get her to start working out with me and these BCAA choices seems beneficial to get her system and energy level on track. Thanks for the info Tracy.
Great products for women I like Evlution Nututrion since it contains all the essential blocked chain amino acids the body needs to help one achieve the results one want from workouts.
As people are finding it difficult to stay in shape this lockdown period, I think using a good BCAA will encourage workout. No fear of muscle pain or tiredness. Lovely piece
Every women should grab this opportunity post and appreciate. Looking at what are the potential BCAA side effects should not get you discouraged. Put your best to get the best BCAA result. Stay healthy always.
I will surely recommend this site to my wife. i hope she will enjoy and follow the steps that were given here.
This supplement is very helpful. It is good for the health as always.
Thank you for sharing all of this. I started my home work when the quarantine started too. I’m exploring what’s best for myself. This gives me a lot of advice and putting this into consideration.
There is a variety to choose from. That is the good thing.
Though I am not used to BCAA but if eventually I will in no distance time, I will choose the transparent labs. Looks really more natural to me with no artificial flavour
The average woman needs to consume 9 gms of BCAA every day. The best thing would be to try 80 mg per pound of body weight.
The market is flooded with BCAAs and sometimes it becomes difficult to know which ones are the best. That’s why this review is very much needed 🙂
Choosing the best BCAA for women is never an easy task. This makes the task so much easier.
Thanks for highlighting the potential side effects of BCAA. This should help many women out there make the decision on whether to use them or not.
I think the potential benefits of BCAAs far outweigh the side effects. I therefore highly recommend them.
I had no idea that BCCAs have such immense benefits. I will most definitely look into them more.
My wife uses Ideal Lean and she is in great shape. I highly recommend it!
Great to know that taking BCAA helps regulate blood sugars and also helps you age gracefully. It’s such a vital supplement to the body.
I am surprise to see that there is a supplement created specifically for women. This is news to me.
It’s good that BCAA supplements don’t make you gain weight. That was a big cause for worry.
All the recommendations are so good. It’s difficult to make a choice haha.
I am impressed at the amount of research that went into this. I think this is by far the most detailed review of BCAA supplements that I have come across. Thank you for making this available.
You have answered all the questions I had regarding BCAA supplements. I wouldn’t mind using them!
Thank you for this suggestions and reviews. This will help us choose the best BCAA for women. Thanks Tracy.
This is the best and the most comprehensive review I’ve seen so far on BCAA. Thanks for sharing this crucial information.
I’ve heard about BCAA but never tried it. I think supplementation would be best for me being that I don’t always eat a balance diets containing BCAAs.
I am not an athlete but I am sure not getting any younger either and won’t mind staying fit while taking this bcaa supplements so as to maintain good health.
I’m an endurance athlete and I have no idea whether I am wasting money on my supplements. There are a lot of people who say I don’t need it anymore, but BCAA for women’s weight loss helps both in my body improvement and training.
Interesting to see the emphasis on glutamine in this guide. Personally, I’ve found leucine to be just as important in my BCAA supplementation routine. Thanks for sharing.