Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard BCAA Review

Optimum Nutrition's Gold Standard series is one of the best known ranges of any brand on the market and includes products such as Gold Standard 100% Whey and Gold Standard 100% Casein. Most recently, Optimum have decided to expand their entire line of Gold Standard supplements. One of the latest inclusions is the new recovery and intra workout support formula known as Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard BCAA Train + Recover.

Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard BCAA Highlights

• Simple and effective intra workout and branched chain amino acid (BCAA) formula
• 3 active ingredients including a BCAA blend, Wellmune WPG and Rhodiola Rosea
• Decrease fatigue and muscle breakdown
• Enhance recovery, muscle building and exercise performance

Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard BCAA Review & Ingredients

Optimum Nutrition’s new Gold Standard BCAA is an extremely simple branched chain amino acid supplement with only a handful of ingredients. These include:

• BCAA Blend (5g) – 2:1:1 Micronised BCAAs (leucine, isoleucine and valine)
• Wellmune WPG (0.25g)
• Rhodiola Rosea Extract (root) (0.2g)

Aside from that, there’s a couple of minerals/electrolytes in the form of magnesium, sodium and potassium. Each tub of 280g contains 28 serves of 10g each.

Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard BCAA Benefits, Pros & Effectiveness

BCAA or branched chain amino acid supplements are incredibly handy for those seasoned trainers looking for that extra edge when it comes to muscle building and recovery. BCAAs, especially leucine is well known for its ability to kick start muscle building processes. That is, it helps to boost the process of muscle protein synthesis and thereby shifts processes in the body from catabolism (muscle breakdown) to anabolism (muscle building). For those who are taking enough protein, but still find that their muscle building or recovery processes are a bit lacking, then a good branched chain amino acid supplement can definitely help.

The inclusion of Wellmune WPG, a yeast derived beta glucan helps to further boost the recovery enhancing potential of the Gold Standard BCAA. Wellmune has been shown to boost innate immune functions, and has been tested in athletes to reduce tension, fatigue and result in less immune system compromises for those who train at high intensity. The same anti-fatigue and anti-stress effects can also be elicited from Rhodiola, one of the best adaptogens on the market (stress prevention compound – both physical and mental)

Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard BCAA Negatives & Cons

There aren’t a whole lot of negatives about the new Optimum Gold Standard BCAA. It’s well dosed in all three key active ingredients. The only minor complaint is the proportion of active ingredients to flavours and mixing agents, which take up roughly 4.5g of a possible 10g serve. Since it’s such a simple formula, there’s really not much to fault though.

Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard BCAA Flavours, Taste & Mixability

The Gold Standard BCAA is available in four flavours including: Fruit Punch, Cranberry Lemonade, Strawberry Kiwi and Watermelon. It’s a strong, fruity flavour of moderate sweetness and should please the majority of its fans. It’s extremely smooth and less gritty than previous versions of other BCAA formulas in their arsenal. While there is some slight frothing when you do mix up the powder, this is definitely not enough to detract from the overall flavour.

Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard BCAA Verdict

Optimum Nutrition’s new Gold Standard BCAA Train + Recover is another excellent addition to this premium range and follows hot on the heels of their extremely popular Gold Standard Pre Workout. The new BCAA formula is simple with only 3 active ingredients, but extremely effective at promoting lean muscle growth and enhanced recovery ability. It’s well dosed and tasty with negligible negatives. If you’re after a no frills intra workout or BCAA supplement that gets the job done without any fancy additions, then the Gold Standard BCAA from ON is for you.