Are BCAAs vegan friendly?
Protein is key when building muscle. When you’re training hard, whether you are cutting calories or consuming a calorie surplus, your body needs protein as an energy source. For vegans, protein sources are limited to plant-based foods – however, vegans don’t have to miss out on the benefits of supplementing BCCAs. There are BCAAs supplements suitable for vegetarians and vegans.
With that in mind, labels should still be checked for ingredients like Gelatine, and any animal produce, as some BCAA supplements source their amino acids from animal sources. But generally, vegans can supplement BCAAs into their routine as a workout aid.
Here, we look at some of the benefits of supplementing BCCAs in a vegan diet:
To boost amino acids
Taking BCAA supplements provide your body with additional amino acids: the building blocks of protein. You can supplement BCAA powder into an intra-workout drink to maintain hydration. Your energy levels can deplete rapidly during exercise so it is important to maintain high protein levels within the body to get the most out of your workout.
Protein synthesis
BCAAs can be supplemented before, during and after exercise – additional BCAAs can be supplemented before bed and first thing on a morning. Amino acids are the building blocks of protein. Protein helps to maintain and build muscle.
For muscle growth, the rate of protein synthesis should exceed the rate of protein breakdown. When your body is at a calorie deficit, it is at risk of entering a catabolic state to which your body turn to muscle tissue to breakdown for energy, leading to a muscle loss.
