BCAA is the abbreviation for “branched-chain amino acids”. It covers the three essential amino acids leucine, isoleucine and valine, which are chemically characterised by a branched side chain. They are among the essential amino acids and therefore have to be taken in through food.
In practice, BCAA are often sold as a supplement in their own right, for example as a powder or capsules. However, since BCAA are also contained in ordinary protein from food or protein powder, an adequate overall protein intake usually already supplies relevant amounts of these amino acids. Whether an isolated BCAA intake brings additional benefit is assessed differently in sports science and cannot be answered in general terms.
The focus here is particularly on the amino acid leucine, which is credited with a role in triggering muscle protein synthesis. For an overview of different types of powder, see the entry Protein powder.
