Some of the energy drinks that contain BCAAs are Reign, Celsius, Adrenaline Shoc, C4, Rockstar, and Ghost.
Energy drinks, which offer quick energy and refreshment, have surpassed coffee as one of the most popular pick-me-ups for exercising or engaging in other strenuous physical activities.
Energy drinks have grown in popularity, so it’s important to know which ones are the best, especially if you’re looking for ones that contain BCAAs.
Branch-chained Amino Acids (BCAAs) provide muscle energy. It is also one of the ingredients used in many energy drinks.
Please keep reading to find out which energy drinks contain BCCAs, and what their role is in the human body.
What are BCAAs?
A subgroup of amino acids known as “branched-chain amino acids” (BCAAs) has several special qualities that are advantageous to athletes and bodybuilders.
They can improve recovery, promote fat loss, stimulate muscle growth, and increase endurance in addition to boosting the immune system.
Leucine, isoleucine, and valine are the amino acids that comprise BCAAs.
The way that BCAAs are metabolized by the body and how they can be used to advance training are what set them apart from other amino acids.
Some sources of BCAAs, other than energy drinks are:
- dairy products
- meat
- poultry
- fish
- soy products
- seeds and nuts
- legumes
Benefits Of BCAAs
Although there hasn’t been much research on BCAAs’ potential for additional health advantages, there are potential benefits that you can gain from it such as:
Side Effects Of BCAAs
As for cons, here are the potential side effects of excessive use of BCAAs:
- fatigue
- nausea
- headache
- increased insulin resistance
- affect blood sugar levels
How BCAAs Work?
When protein is consumed, the stomach breaks it down into short peptide chains and amino acids.
Before being delivered to the rest of the body, these amino acids are first taken to the liver. Amino acids can be burned for energy once they are in the liver.
The fact that BCAAs are metabolized by the muscle rather than the liver is what attracts trainers to them. BCAAs are barely broken down in the liver as they pass through. It is then delivered from this location to the muscles, where it can influence metabolic processes.
Main Components of Energy Drink
Apart from BCAAs, there are two other main components of energy drinks – caffeine and sugar.
I’ll discuss briefly below.
Caffeine
Over 700 different beverages, including coffee, energy drinks, sodas, and even teas, contain caffeine.
Caffeine benefits include raising brain activity, alertness, attention, and wakefulness, according to the National Cancer Institute.
Additionally, it may speed up breathing, reduce body dehydration brought on by urination, improve heart rate, and stabilize blood pressure.
Caffeine from energy drinks, even in small amounts, can keep you alert all day. Despite the benefits to health, many nutritionists advised adults to limit their daily caffeine intake to 400mg.
Excessive consumption of caffeine can result in:
- anxiety
- insomnia
- rapid heart rate
- depression
- nausea
- mood swings
- kidney stones
- liver problems
- dehydration
Sugar
Due to its universally appealing sweetness, glucose is widely used in a wide range of beverages, not just energy drinks. You might like the sugary sweetness regardless of your age.
Contrarily, consuming too much sugar increases the risk of a number of illnesses, most notably diabetes and obesity.
In addition, sugar can raise insulin levels faster, which can cause a “crash-like” feeling an hour or so later.
According to the WHO, diabetes affected 422 million people worldwide in 2014, up from 108 million in 1980. Between 2015 and 2030, the NCBI predicted that the number of Americans with diabetes (both type-2 and type-1) would rise by 54% to more than 54.9 million.
Based on AHA (American Heart Association), the recommended sugar intake are as follows.
| Gender | Sugar Intake |
| Male | 36g per day |
| Female | 25g per day |
Energy Drinks With BCAAs
| Energy Drinks That Contain BCAAs | Caffeine Amount |
| Reign Total Body Fuel | 300mg |
| Adrenaline Shoc Performance | 300mg |
| Celcius | 200mg |
| C4 | 200mg |
| Ghost | 200mg |
| Rockstar | 160mg |
Reign Total Body Fuel
Reign Energy contains BCAAs, CoQ10, and electrolytes.
This preworkout beverage is also loaded with 300mg of caffeine per can. That’s quite high and can potential drive you experiencing the nasty side of caffeine.
The good news is they offer sugar-free options depending on the flavor.
Adrenaline Shoc
Adrenaline Shoc is designed to improve your overall physical performance.
A 16 fl. oz can of Adrenaline Shoc contains amino acids and performance blend BCAAs. Although the caffeine is high at 300mg, I like that it’s sugar-free.
To avoid caffeine-related symptoms, I strongly suggest spacing out your consumption of Adrenaline Shoc.
Celcius
One of the most well-known energy drink brands in the US is Celsius Energy.
Celsius Original comes in 12-ounce cans with 200mg of caffeine per serving, 10 calories, no added sugar, a healthy serving of vitamins and minerals, and BCAAs.
The overall objective of the company is to motivate your body’s thermogenesis so that you can burn additional calories while exercising.
C4
This energy drink brand has successfully built a following since its launch in 2018, primarily made up of fitness enthusiasts.
It is a sugar-free and calorie-free energy drink that contains 200mg of caffeine, BCAAs, and B vitamins to help give you an energy boost.
Check my review of C4 Energy here.
Ghost
Ghost is a lifestyle company that specializes in fitness and sells everything from whey protein supplements to energy drinks designed specifically for gamers.
Each flavor contains BCAAs along with five calories, one carb, and no sugar.
In addition, Ghost is loaded with taurine, vitamin C, thiamine, vitamin B6, and vitamin b12, as well as 200mg of caffeine naturally derived from coffee beans.
Rockstar
Since 2001, Rockstar has been a participant in the energy drink industry. With their 20 years of knowledge, they were able to refine their formula and form a wonderful beverage.
A 16-ounce can with 122 calories, 24 grams of sugar, and 160mg of caffeine, Rockstar Energy provides a potent boost.
It also contains a variety of B vitamins, ginseng, and guarana extracts, as well as taurine and BCAAs.
Are BCAAs Really The Building Blocks Of Muscles?
BCAAs are protein-building blocks that keep muscle tissue intact during strenuous exercise.
As anabolic agents, they help the body reduce muscle loss while maximizing fat loss. They can be employed for energy as well.
A gain in power, muscle, and energy can be attained with BCAA supplements. As a result, they can prevent muscle damage and delay fatigue when taken before and during exercise.
After a workout, taking them can aid in recovery. When compared to amino from whole proteins, they can reach your muscles faster.
BCAA supplements can be a potent ally in your quest for muscle growth.
REIZE (10 out of 10)
A REIZE Energy serving has 11 calories, 50mg of caffeine, and no added sugar.
I usually drink this energy supplement every morning. I don’t even need more than 50 mg of caffeine to get the much-needed boost.
I would say the caffeine, taurine, ginseng, and B vitamins in REIZE deliver a strong energy boost without any crashes or jitters.
As too much of anything is unhealthy, it may also be one of the best options for those who want to reduce their caffeine intake.
Most importantly, REIZE offers direct delivery to your door for less than $1 per drink, shipping included.
That offers outstanding value, give REIZE a try!