Sparkling Aminos

Our Sparkling Aminos contain 5.9 g of BCAAs per can plus caffeine from guarana. But what are BCAAs? The three amino acids leucine, isoleucine and valine are known as BCAAs. They are essential amino acids, which means that the body cannot produce them on its own. They must be obtained from food instead.

The body needs BCAAs specifically for sports activities like weight lifting and endurance sports to support muscle building and muscle maintenance during long-term stress. These unique properties make BCAAs THE all-rounders among nutritional supplements.

But what makes BCAAs so special? The most advantageous characteristic of BCAAs is that they are metabolised by muscle cells directly, i.e. they don’t have to pass through the liver first. That is why they are superb energy suppliers. Muscles get around 35% of their fuel from BCAAs. BCAAs are therefore very helpful in preventing muscle breakdown, also known as the catabolic process.

Our cans contain a BCAA ratio of 2:1:1. That means they contain twice as much leucine as isoleucine and valine, because our bodies require different amounts of the three amino acids. BCAAs are particularly effective in this ratio, as the metabolism will require twice as much leucine than valine and isoleucine over the course of a day. The body’s basic metabolic needs are further increased during physical training or an intense workout.

Not all BCAAs are the same. Premium BCAAs like the amino acids in our Sparkling Aminos are derived from plant-based raw materials. Low-quality products often contain amino acids that are extracted from duck feathers and even human hair. The bio-availability of these supplements is significantly lower, because the body can only use a fraction of the “actual" BCAAs.

The level of free BCAAs in the blood decreases during physical training. That is because these quickly available amino acids are burned first. In other words, the body draws on its immediately available resources first. Once these are depleted, muscle tissue is targeted next and the body starts breaking it down for energy.

This is known as the catabolic (muscle breakdown) process. Whatever your specific physical goals, it is therefore a good idea to supply your musculoskeletal system with plenty of BCAAs. The catabolic process is halted and your body has the essential amino acids it needs. In other words: BCAAs have an anti-catabolic effect: they help to prevent muscle loss.

And how much caffeine is in cola? Not nearly as much as in Sparkling Aminos: 33 mg per serving. But more importantly: Cola has a very high sugar content – not a great idea when you want to burn fat. Other commercially available isotonic drinks and sports drinks are also packed full of sugar.

Our Sparkling Aminos are made with the juice of harvest-fresh grapefruit and contain absolutely no added sugar.

Most BCAA drinks on the market offer the right ratio of the three essential amino acids leucine, isoleucine and valine. Some BCAA drinks may, however, contain smaller quantities of amino acids, or in different ratios: 4:1:1 or 8:1:1, which means a higher proportion of leucine. These ratios are stated only to pretend a greater effect on muscle performance. The 2:1:1 ratio will always be ideal and mirrors the ratio of amino acids in the human body.

The source of the amino acids is also very important. Many amino acids are sourced from low quality raw materials like duck feathers or human hair. The BCAAs in our Sparkling Aminos, however, are derived solely from plant sources. These offer excellent bio-availability and deliver genuinely valuable essential amino acids.

The same applies for caffeine extracts. Caffeine is often derived using some obscure processes and is then mixed in a sub-optimal ratio. The use of unsafe stimulants like taurine is not uncommon. Make sure your energy drink contains caffeine from natural sources to avoid unnecessary stress for your metabolism. Your workout drinks should furthermore not contain added sugars.

We here at foodspring only use top-quality raw materials for our BCAA drinks. You can buy Sparkling Aminos right here in our shop.