If you've ever looked at the wall of supplements at a store and felt a little overwhelmed by all of the acronyms, product claims, and ingredients, we’re right there with you. The world of fitness and nutrition can be confusing, especially when you're trying to figure out what's best for your body. If you've ever heard of EAAs and BCAAs, you might be wondering what they are and which one is the right choice for you.

We're here to break down the differences between these two common amino acid supplements. Our goal is to make this topic simple and easy to understand so you can choose the right supplement to support your exercise performance and your overall health.

Understanding Amino Acids and The Difference Between EAAs and BCAAs

Before we can dive into the specifics of EAA vs BCAA, it helps to understand what amino acids are. Think of them as the building blocks of protein. Your body needs a lot of different proteins for everything from building muscle tissue to supporting immune function, and amino acids are the tiny pieces that make up all of those proteins.

Essential and Non-Essential Amino Acids

There are 20 total types of amino acids. Your body can produce 11 of these on its own, so they're called non-essential amino acids. The other nine, however, your body can't make. These are the essential amino acids (EAAs), and you have to get them from your diet.

When you eat protein sources like meat, eggs, quinoa, or beans, your body breaks them down into these amino acids and uses them to rebuild. A food that contains all nine EAAs is considered a complete protein, and getting enough protein in your diet is the first step to feeling good. This is where a high-quality EAA supplement can come in to help give you an extra boost as well. 

A Closer Look at BCAAs

Here is where the confusion often begins. BCAAs, or branched-chain amino acids, are a special subset of the EAAs. They only consist of three amino acids, and their chemical structure is what makes them unique: 

• Leucine

• Isoleucine

• Valine

These three amino acids can be metabolized directly in your muscles for energy, which is why they have become so popular with athletes. It's an interesting feature, but it's important to remember that they are only a small part of a larger group of essential amino acids.

EAA vs BCAA: What Each Supplement Does for You

Now that you know what each of these supplements is, let's talk about what they actually do for your body. The core difference between the benefits of EAAs and BCAAs comes down to their purpose. One is a more complete solution for building and repairing your body, while the other is more focused on giving you an immediate boost of energy.

The Role of BCAAs in Your Workout

Think of BCAA supplements as a quick energy source for your muscles. Because of their unique chemical structure, they can be metabolized directly in your muscle tissue. This makes them a great option for an intra-workout drink.

They can help reduce fatigue and make it easier to power through a tough workout. BCAAs can also help reduce muscle soreness after a workout, which is a big plus for anyone who is active. They can help prevent muscle protein breakdown and keep your energy levels high.

The Role of EAAs in Your Workout

While BCAAs are great for an energy boost, EAA supplements are a more complete and powerful solution. EAAs are all nine of the essential amino acids your body needs to build and repair protein.

This makes them the key to triggering muscle protein synthesis, which is the process of building new muscle tissue. Taking EAA supplements can help with muscle recovery, muscle repair, and overall muscle development. They give your body all the building blocks it needs to build muscle mass and get stronger.

Keep in mind that EAA supplements have the three essential amino acids found in BCAAs built in, so if the energy boost from BCAAs sounds like something you need, you’re getting that when you take an EAA supplement as well. EAAs are the best of both worlds.

Which is Better for Muscle Growth?

When it comes to muscle growth, the answer is pretty clear. EAAs are the better choice. Building new muscle requires a complete amino acid profile. Since BCAAs are just a subset of EAAs, they can't do the job on their own. EAA supplements give you everything you need to support the anabolic process of muscle-building. While BCAAs can help, they’re not a substitute for a complete protein.

How and When to Take Your EAA or BCAA Supplements

Understanding what these supplements do is just one part of the equation. To get the most out of your exercise performance and support your muscle recovery, you also have to know when to take them. The timing and context of your protein intake matter a lot.

The Right Time to Take EAAs

Because EAA supplements contain all nine essential amino acids, they're incredibly versatile. They give your body the tools it needs to get started on muscle protein synthesis. You can take EAAs at almost any time, but here are some of the most common and effective ways to use them:

• Pre-workout: Taking EAAs before your workout can help prepare your muscles for the work they’re about to do. This can help with your energy levels and reduce the feeling of fatigue.

• Intra-workout: Drinking EAAs during your workout helps provide a steady stream of essential amino acids to your muscles. They can be super helpful intra-workout during a long outdoor run or a heavy leg day at the gym. EAAs help fight off fatigue and provide a constant source of fuel for your muscles.

• Post-workout: After your workout, your body needs to start the process of muscle repair. Taking EAAs after a workout gives your body all the building blocks it needs to start the recovery process right away.

The Right Time to Take BCAAs

Since BCAA supplements are metabolized directly in the muscles, they’re a great energy source. This makes the best time to take BCAAs during your workout. Drinking them intra-workout can help you push through a tough training session and give you a boost of energy when you need it most. They can also help reduce muscle protein breakdown and help with muscle development.

EAA vs BCAA Frequently Asked Questions

Here are the answers to some of the most common questions we hear about EAAs and BCAAs.

Which is better, BCAA or EAAs?

For overall muscle growth and muscle repair, EAAs are the better choice. Since EAAs contain all nine of the essential amino acids your body needs, they provide a complete amino acid profile that is necessary for muscle protein synthesis. BCAAs are only a subset of EAAs, so while they have benefits, they’re not a complete solution.

Should I take both BCAA and EAAs?

You do not need to take both. Since branched-chain amino acids are already included in EAA supplements, taking a separate bcaa supplement is not necessary if you are already taking EAAs. You can simply take an EAA supplement to get all the benefits of EAAs and BCAAs in one drink.

Are EAAs better than creatine?

EAAs and creatine are two different kinds of amino acid supplements that serve different purposes. EAAs are the building blocks of protein and are essential for muscle growth and muscle recovery. Creatine, on the other hand, helps with exercise performance by giving your muscles more energy for short bursts of activity. You can take both together to reap some amazing benefits and level up in your workouts.

Do EAAs provide more benefits than BCAAs for muscle growth?

Yes. EAAs provide more benefits for muscle growth because they contain all nine essential amino acids that are required for your body to build new muscle tissue. The process of muscle protein synthesis requires a complete amino acid profile, which EAAs have. While BCAAs can help, they’re not enough to do the job on their own.

Can EAAs replace BCAAs in my supplement routine?

Yes, EAAs can absolutely replace BCAAs in your supplement routine. Since EAAs already contain the three branched-chain amino acids, taking an EAA supplement gives you everything you get from a BCAA supplement and more. 

EAAs are a more efficient way to support your muscle development and muscle recovery. At Friday Wellness, we have three delicious EAA + Electrolyte flavors including Strawberry Kiwi, Pineapple Mango and Watermelon Lemonade. One of our great-tasting EAA drink mixes can replace your old BCAA supplement. 

A Final Look at EAAs and BCAAs

The world of amino acid supplements can feel a little confusing, but the choice between EAA vs BCAA is simple. BCAAs are a great energy source and can help with muscle soreness, but they’re only a partial solution. EAAs, however, provide a complete amino acid profile that is necessary for muscle protein synthesis and overall muscle development.

Friday Wellness Is Your Partner for Feeling Good While Staying Active

At Friday Wellness, we believe that feeling good should be simple. Our high-quality EAA + Electrolyte powder is designed to give you everything your body needs to support muscle recovery and exercise performance. 

We use a full spectrum of essential amino acids and electrolytes to help you get the most out of your workout and feel your best. Visit our website today to learn more and try our delicious EAA + Electrolyte drink mixes.