When it comes to sports supplements, it can be hard to find the right one to meet all your needs. Whether you are looking for a supplement that supports muscle growth, performance, hydration, or recovery, chances are you are looking at multiple different products.
To avoid this, many have started choosing combination supplements, such as Swolverine BCAA 2:1:1 powder (also known simply as Swolverine BCAA), which includes branched-chain amino acids for muscle growth, electrolytes for hydration and repletion, and L-glutamine for recovery. But are combination supplements such as this one worth the money or is it better to choose individual supplements?
Let’s find out in this Swolverine BCAA review!
About Swolverine BCAA
Swolverine is a health and wellness company that provides a wide range of sports supplements for improved athletic performance, such as this one, Swolverine Therm, Swolverine Pre-Workout, Swolverine Kre-Alkalyn, Swolverine Greens + Reds, and more. They are known for their claims to be completely transparent with their products while also providing clinically effective doses and proven ingredients with evidence-based outcomes.
Swolverine’s BCAA powder includes the branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) leucine, isoleucine, and valine for muscle growth, as well as L-glutamine for improved recovery and electrolytes sodium and potassium for hydration. It is available in a flavored lemon lime powder, with a 60-serving container costing $49.99.
Swolverine BCAA Benefits
Swolverine claims their BCAA 2:1:1 powder provides a synergistic combination of BCAAs, electrolytes, and L-glutamine to help provide intra-workout hydration, fight fatigue, and optimize recovery. They claim their product provides benefits such as promoting muscle growth during high-intensity training and reducing incidences of muscle mass breakdown as well as optimizing recovery, reducing post-workout soreness, and maximizing hydration to keep you fueled before, during, and after your workout.
Swolverine BCAA Ingredients
The main ingredients in Swolverine BCAA powder include BCAAs isoleucine, leucine, and valine, the amino acid L-glutamine, and electrolytes sodium and potassium.
BCAAs
Many studies support the use of BCAAs for muscle protein synthesis, a.k.a. muscle growth. Although most studies support BCAAs for increasing muscle mass, it has also been found that muscle growth is even further improved when taking a supplement that contains all the essential amino acids versus just those that are branched chain.
Although BCAAs, specifically leucine, are essential during this process, they work best when combined with the other 6 essential amino acids histidine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, and tryptophan.
L-Glutamine
L-glutamine is a non-essential amino acid that is believed to aid in post-exercise recovery. Although some studies support L-glutamine to help decrease muscle soreness and improve recovery after intense exercise, research is still limited on this.
One study found that L-glutamine combined with a carbohydrate source after high-intensity exercise helped to decrease fatigue. Although the research is promising, further studies are still warranted.
Electrolytes
Sodium and potassium are essential minerals that we lose through our sweat. These electrolytes balance our body’s fluid levels and help with various body processes, including providing energy and contracting our muscles.
Having adequate electrolyte balance during exercise can ensure you can perform at your best. When performing a high-intensity exercise, these losses can be substantial, and replenishing these electrolytes can help to avoid dehydration and fatigue.
Does Swolverine BCAA Work?
Based on the ingredients in Swolverine’s BCAA 2:1:1 supplement and the current available research, this product will likely provide benefits in terms of muscle growth, hydration, and recovery for some individuals.
Although some of these effects may be improved if combining BCAAs with the other 6 essential amino acids, taking BCAAs may still provide positive effects on muscle gains. The research on L-glutamine is also limited however, the research is promising and the potential negative impacts of taking this amino acid are low.
As far as electrolytes, the research is significant, and maintaining adequate electrolyte status during a high-intensity workout will provide benefits that include improved energy for a better, longer session.
As with any supplement, results will vary from person to person. Many other diet and lifestyle factors need to be taken into consideration when trying to build lean body mass. Always speak to your doctor or healthcare provider before adding a supplement to your routine, especially if you are taking any medication for a chronic condition.
How Does Swolverine BCAA Measure Up to Others?
Swolverine is not the only brand that offers a BCAA supplement to promote muscle growth, so is it really any better than other supplements of its kind on the market?
When comparing Swolverine to a similar product, such as 1st Phorm BCAAs, there are some key differences to note including the BCAA ratio. A BCAA ratio is the amount of the amino acid leucine for every gram of valine and isoleucine. Most products contain either a 2:1:1 ratio or a 4:1:1 ratio. This is because leucine is the main BCAA that has been shown to stimulate muscle protein synthesis.
Swolverine advertises their BCAA ratio in their name, 2:1:1 while 1st Phorm has a 3:2:2 ratio. While what is considered the best BCAA ratio has yet to be determined through adequate research, many supplement brands prefer a 2:1:1 ratio.
It is hypothesized that taking the BCAA leucine alone will decrease the levels isoleucine and valine. This is why 1st Phorm states they chose to do a 3:2:2 ratio to provide a higher-quality product to their consumers.
Most studies conducted on BCAAs, and muscle protein synthesis utilize a 2:1:1 ratio. This does not mean that a 3:2:2 ratio is better or worse, it simply means we don’t have enough research to know if there is more of a benefit to taking that ratio versus another.
Both products contain L-glutamine to support recovery, Swolverine BCAAs contains 1000mg while 1st Phorm contains 1.7g of L-glutamine along with L-taurine, L-tyrosine, L-citrulline, and agmatine sulfate, so you don’t know how much of each you are getting per serving.
Both products contain electrolytes for repletion with Swolverine’s BCAAs powder containing 20mg of sodium and 37mg of potassium. 1st Phorm’s BCAA powder contains 475mg of an electrolyte blend that includes potassium, sodium, and magnesium. Again, you don’t know exactly how much of each you are getting.
Both products are well-known, and both products provide third-party testing for quality and purity. 1st Phorm claims its products are manufactured in an FDA SQF level 3 facility, which is the gold standard for food manufacturing. Swolverine provides a certificate of analysis for product testing for contamination to provide full transparency to its consumers.
A 60-serving container of Swolverine BCAA 2:1:1 powder is $49.99 while a 40-serving container of 1st Phorm BCAAs costs about $44.99. Both products are very similar however, you get more bang for your buck with Swolverine, along with a bit more transparency as far as potential contamination and exact amounts of ingredients per serving.
Who is Swolverine BCAA Best For?
Swolverine’s BCAA powder is likely best for someone who performs high-intensity exercise and is looking to boost muscle growth, performance, and recovery during workouts. Women who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to become pregnant should avoid taking this supplement. Always speak to your doctor or healthcare provider before adding a supplement to your routine, especially if you are taking any medication for a chronic condition.
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Swolverine BCAA
- Formula includes BCAAs, electrolytes, and more
- 2:1:1 ratio of amino acid leucine per gram of valine and isoleucine
- Benefits hydration, fights fatigue, and optimizes recovery
Claims vs. Reality
Swolverine claims their BCAA powder promotes muscle growth during high-intensity training, reducing incidences of muscle mass breakdown, optimizes recovery, reduces post-workout soreness, and maximizes hydration. Based on the ingredients provided, their claims are valid. Although it may vary from person to person, their reported benefits are backed by a good amount of research.
Is Swolverine BCAA Safe?
The ingredients in Swolverine’s BCAA 2:1:1 powder are considered safe for most healthy adults. There are no known adverse side effects to taking these products however, some mild side effects may include constipation, nausea, headache, cramps, gas, bloating, or abdominal pain.
Where to Buy Swolverine BCAA
You can purchase Swolverine BCAA 2:1:1 powder directly from their website swolverine.com.
A 60-serving container of Swolverine BCAA costs $49.99. They also offer the option to subscribe to monthly refills at a reduced cost of 15%, bringing the total monthly cost down to $42.49.
