Walk into any supplement shop and you'll find entire shelves dedicated to amino acids. The question we get asked most often at our Cricklewood store is simple: should I take BCAAs or EAAs?

Here's the honest answer.

What Are BCAAs?

BCAAs stands for Branched-Chain Amino Acids. There are three of them: Leucine (the key driver of muscle protein synthesis), Isoleucine (supports glucose uptake during exercise), and Valine (supports energy metabolism and recovery). They are three of the nine essential amino acids your body cannot produce itself.

What Are EAAs?

EAAs stands for Essential Amino Acids — all nine that your body can't produce: Leucine, Isoleucine, Valine (the three BCAAs), plus Lysine, Methionine, Phenylalanine, Threonine, Tryptophan and Histidine.

BCAA vs EAA: The Science

To trigger muscle protein synthesis (the process of building new muscle), your body needs all nine essential amino acids present simultaneously — not just three. BCAAs activate the mTOR pathway that switches on protein synthesis, but if the other essential amino acids aren't available, the process stalls.

Research increasingly shows that EAAs produce a greater and more sustained muscle protein synthesis response than BCAAs alone, particularly when taken without food. A landmark 2017 study found EAAs stimulated muscle protein synthesis significantly more than an equivalent BCAA supplement.

The verdict: EAAs are the superior choice for muscle building and recovery.

So Are BCAAs Useless?

Not quite. BCAAs still have their place:

• During fasted training — BCAAs can help reduce muscle breakdown if you train first thing without eating
• Intra-workout hydration — many BCAA products are flavoured and electrolyte-enhanced, making them great sipping drinks during long sessions
• Budget — BCAA supplements are typically cheaper per serving than EAAs

Our Recommendation

If you had to choose one: go with EAAs. You get the three BCAAs plus all six other essential amino acids.

If you already drink a protein shake post-workout: both become less critical. A quality whey protein shake contains all nine EAAs in excellent amounts — adding BCAAs or EAAs on top adds minimal benefit.

Best BCAA and EAA Supplements in the UK

At Buffalo Nutrition we stock a wide range of amino acid supplements:

• Scivation Xtend BCAA — the original and still one of the best, with added glutamine and electrolytes
• Applied Nutrition EAA — solid formula, good value, great UK flavours
• USN BCAA Power Punch — popular for flavour and mixability
• Buffalo Nutrition BCAA 6000 — our own-brand BCAA at 6,000mg per serving, excellent value

Shop Amino Acids in London

Browse our full range at buffalonutrition.co.uk/collections/bcaa-amino-acids with free UK delivery over £50, or visit us at 132 Cricklewood Broadway, London NW2 3EE — Mon–Sat 10:30am–7pm. Serving Cricklewood, Brent, Kilburn, Willesden, Hendon, Golders Green and all of North West London.