Last Updated on October 9, 2022 by theworldofsleepstaff
We all know that BCAA is excellent for building muscle, but did you know that taking BCAA before bed may have some added benefits too?
In this article, we’ll look at some of the benefits of taking BCAA before bed and some other things you should keep in mind if you’re deciding to take BCAAs at night.
Note: You must always consult your doctor before including a new supplement into your daily routine as only your doctor can explain any pros or cons that are specific to you. Some supplements may interfere with medications too.
But First: What are BCAAs?
BCAAs are branched-chain amino acids. They are a group of three essential amino acids – leucine, isoleucine and valine.
Our bodies cannot produce essential amino acids, and they must be obtained from our diet. For example, BCAAs make up around 35% of the essential amino acids in muscle proteins.
Leucine is the most important BCAA for muscle growth. It activates a critical pathway called mTOR, which tells our cells to start building muscle proteins.
Isoleucine and valine are also crucial for muscle growth, but they don’t activate mTOR to the same extent as leucine.
What Does BCAA Do?
BCAAs are involved in many different processes in the body, but their primary role is to build muscle proteins.
When we exercise, our muscles break down and need to be repaired. This is how we build muscle. BCAAs are essential for this process.
Not only do they help to build new muscle proteins, but they also help to prevent muscle breakdown. This is why BCAAs are often taken during and after exercise.
BCAAs can also be used for energy during exercise. They are broken down in the muscles and used for fuel.
Do You Need to Take BCAAs?
You may benefit from taking BCAA if you exercise regularly.
BCAAs can help your body recover from exercise and promote muscle growth. However speak with your doctor or a registered dietitian before adding BCAA to your diet. (Recommended: The Effects Of Taking Creatine Before Bed).
Taking BCAA before bed: the benefits
1. Improves Sleep
That’s right – BCAA has been shown to improve sleep quality in both men and women. For example, in one study, men who took BCAA before bed slept more soundly and improved cognition.
BCAA also helps to reduce fatigue and promote recovery from exercise.
Be sure to take BCAA with a carbohydrate source before bed to help improve sleep quality.
2. Reduces Muscle Soreness
Muscle soreness is caused by inflammation and microtrauma in the muscles. BCAA has been shown to reduce inflammation and help repair muscle tissue.
In one study, men who took BCAA before bed had minor muscle soreness after exercise than those who didn’t take BCAA.
BCAA may also help to reduce the risk of injury by promoting tissue repair.
3. Boosts Muscle Growth
BCAA has been shown to increase muscle protein synthesis, which is the process that leads to muscle growth.
What happens during muscle protein synthesis is that our cells create new muscle proteins to replace the ones that have been broken down during exercise.
BCAA helps to increase muscle protein synthesis by activating mTOR and increasing the availability of amino acids for muscle protein synthesis.
In one study, men who took BCAA before bed had increased muscle protein synthesis compared to those who didn’t take BCAA.
So, taking BCAA before bed may be a good idea to boost muscle growth.
4. Improves Exercise Performance
BCAA has been shown to improve exercise performance.
There are many reasons why BCAA may improve exercise performance. One is that BCAA helps to reduce fatigue during exercise. Another is that BCAA can be used for energy during exercise.
The key here is to take BCAA before exercise. BCAA will help to reduce fatigue and improve your endurance during exercise.
5. Reduces Fatigue
BCAA has been shown to reduce fatigue. In one study, men who took BCAA before bed had reduced levels of the stress hormone cortisol.
Cortisol is a hormone that increases when we’re stressed. It can lead to fatigue and can impair exercise performance.
6. Sound Sleep
Another benefit of taking BCAA before bed is that it can help you to wake up feeling more rested.
The key ingredient here is leucine. Leucine is an amino acid that helps to stimulate muscle protein synthesis. It also regulates sleep; some anecdotal evidence suggests that taking BCAA before bed can help you sleep better and wake up feeling more rested.
7. Increases Fat Loss
BCAA has been shown to increase fat loss in both men and women. Why? Because BCAA helps to preserve lean muscle mass while you’re in a calorie deficit.
And the more muscle mass you have, the more calories you’ll burn at rest. So, preserving your muscle mass is crucial for fat loss.
Research suggests that BCAA helps during intense exercise and cutting diets.
A quick tip: Take BCAA with a carbohydrate source before bed to help preserve muscle mass while cutting calories.
Will Taking BCAA Before Bed Keep Me Awake?
This is a common question we get here at The World of Sleep. And it’s a valid one!
After all, BCAAs are amino acids – the building blocks of protein. So, if you’re trying to wind down for the night and take some BCAAs before bed, you might wonder if they’ll keep you up all night.
The simple answer is: no, BCAAs will not keep you awake. In fact as we mentioned further above, they can instead help you sleep better!
BCAAs have been shown to increase levels of tryptophan in the brain. Tryptophan is an amino acid converted into serotonin – a neurotransmitter that helps regulate sleep. So, by taking BCAAs before bed, you’re helping yourself sleep better.
Of course, as with anything, there are always exceptions to the rule. If you have trouble sleeping, we recommend talking to your doctor about whether or not BCAAs are right for you. But in general, they’re safe to take before bed and can help you sleep better!
Should You Take BCAA Before Bed?
Taking BCAA before bed may help you reach your fitness goals. BCAA are amino acids that can stimulate muscle growth and prevent muscle breakdown. They can help your body recover from exercise and promote muscle growth when taken before bed.
However, there is no definitive research to support these claims. Speak with your doctor or a registered dietitian before adding BCAA to your diet.
How to take BCAA before bed
The best way to take BCAA is in powder form mixed with water or juice. You can also find BCAA in capsules and tablets, but the powder form is the most effective.
When taking BCAA before bed, mix it with a carbohydrate source such as juice or a sports drink. This will help to improve sleep quality.
The recommended dosage of BCAA is 10-20 grams before bed. Start with the lower end of the dosage range and increase it if needed.
If you’re new to taking BCAA, start with 5 grams before bed for the first week. This will help your body get used to the supplement. Be sure to talk to your doctor before adding BCAA to your diet.
What Are the Side Effects of BCAA?
BCAA is generally safe and well-tolerated. But the most common side effect is stomach discomfort. This can generally be avoided by taking BCAA with food or a lower dose.
Other potential side effects include:
- Increased heart rate
- Insomnia
- Anxiety
- Headache
If you experience any of these side effects, stop taking BCAA and see how you feel. If the symptoms persist or you are worried, consult a doctor.
How to choose the best BCAA Supplement
Look For A Product That Is High Quality & Has Been Third-Party Tested
Third-party testing means an independent organization has tested the product to ensure it meets label claims. This is important because it ensures that the product is safe and effective.
2. Look For A Product That Contains All Three BCAAs In A 2:1:1 Ratio
The ideal ratio of BCAAs is 2:1:1, meaning there are twice as many leucine molecules as isoleucine and valine molecules. This ratio is the most effective for muscle growth.
3. Look For A Product Free Of Artificial Sweeteners, Flavors & Colors
Artificial sweeteners, flavors, and colors can cause side effects such as headaches and stomach discomfort. Therefore, it’s best to avoid them.
FAQs about BCAA
Can BCAA Make You Fat?
No, BCAA will not make you fat. But, they can help you lose weight!
BCAAs help increase levels of lean muscle mass. The more muscle you have, the more calories you burn at rest. So, taking BCAAs, you’re helping your body burn more calories – even when you’re not working out!
In addition, BCAAs can help reduce levels of body fat. One study found that athletes who took BCAAs for weeks lost more body fat than those who didn’t take BCAAs. So, if you want to lose weight, adding BCAAs to your diet may be a good option.
Should I Take BCAA Before Or After Workout?
This is a common question. And it’s a valid one! After all, there are so many different supplements, and it can be hard to know which ones to take and when.
The simple answer is: it doesn’t matter. You can take BCAA before or after your workout, and you’ll still get the same benefits.
Of course, there are always exceptions to the rule. For example, if you’re trying to build muscle, you might want to take BCAAs before your workout. This is because BCAAs help increases protein synthesis levels – the process your body uses to build muscle.
On the other hand, if you’re trying to lose weight, you might want to take BCAAs after your workout. This is because BCAAs can help reduce levels of body fat. So, taking BCAAs after your workout may be a better option if you’re trying to lose weight.
In general, though, it doesn’t matter when you take BCAAs. You’ll still get the same benefits regardless of when you take them.
Can I Take BCAA With Pre-Workout?
Yes, you can take BCAA with pre-workout. We recommend it!
Taking BCAAs before your workout can help increase levels of energy and endurance. This is because BCAAs help improve blood flow to muscles. So, if you’re looking for a little extra boost during your workout, taking BCAAs may be a good option.
In addition, taking BCAAs before your workout can help reduce levels of muscle soreness. This is because BCAAs help reduces inflammation. So, if you want to avoid sore muscles after your workout, taking BCAAs may be a good option.
Of course, as with anything, it’s always best to talk to your doctor before starting any new supplement. But in general, taking BCAAs before your workout is perfectly safe and can help improve your workout!
Should I Take BCAA On Rest Days?
This is another common question. And, like with the previous question, the answer is: it doesn’t matter. You can take BCAAs on rest days and still get the same benefits.
Some people like to take BCAAs on rest days because it helps them recover faster. And while there is some evidence to support this, it’s not conclusive. So, if you want to take BCAAs on rest days, go ahead. But if you don’t want to, that’s perfectly fine too.
It’s up to you. There is no right or wrong answer. Just do what works best for you and your goals.
tAKING bcaa bEFORE bED: oUR fINAL thOUGHTS
BCAA are amino acids that can stimulate muscle growth and prevent muscle breakdown. BCAA can help your body recover from exercise and promote muscle growth when taken before bed.
If you decide to take BCAA before bed, mix it with a carbohydrate source such as juice or a sports drink. The recommended dosage of BCAA is 10-20 grams before bed. But start with the lower end of the dosage range and increase it if needed.
If you’re new to taking BCAA, start with 5 grams before bed for the first week. This will help your body get used to the supplement. However before doing that, we recommend speaking to your doctor or dietician about adding BCAA into your diet.
BCAA is generally safe and well-tolerated. However, the most common side effect is stomach discomfort. This can be avoided by taking BCAA with food or a lower dose. If you experience any other potential side effects, stop taking BCAA and see how you feel. If the symptoms persist, consult a doctor.