With the growing evidence that shows branched chain amino acids (BCAA) provide little benefit on their own, essential amino acid (EAA) products are starting to grow in popularity.
Of course, the 3 BCAAs (Leucine, Isoleucine, and Valine) are included in any EAA product since branched chain amino acids fall under the essential amino acid category. The issue with BCAAs is that while they do increase muscle protein synthesis signaling, you need all 9 EAAs to build new muscle.
Leading nutrition researcher Menno Henselmans once described BCAA supplementation as turning on a light switch, but no electricity being produced.
However, a quality EAA product will provide the resources necessary for a fast digesting amino acid product that checks all the boxes.
Most people use essential amino acids intra workout. The belief is that the combination of amino acids in the bloodstream coupled with the increased blood flow to muscles during exercise would be favorable to muscle growth.
Essential amino acid supplements can also provide a muscular endurance benefit, but typically only for workouts that exceed 90 minutes. At that point carbohydrate availability might be low, so the body may turn to amino acids along with fats for energy.
The supplement showcased today is RYSE BCAA/EAA powder. RYSE is a relatively new brand, founded in 2017. They’ve made a big splash with an ever growing product line and partnerships with the likes of Conor McGregor and Jeremy Buendia.
Supplement Formula
RYSE EAA powder immediately gets points for having a fully transparent formula. You know exactly how much of each individual amino acid you’re getting.
The product has 2.5 grams of Leucine. Leucine is the amino acid that jumpstarts muscle protein synthesis. I would have liked it to have 3 grams, as this is considered the threshold for optimizing protein synthesis, but taking a little more than a scoop for a serving is not a big deal.
In addition, it contains some electrolytes, hence the reference to hydration on the label. In reality these are relatively small amounts, although there isn’t much of a critical need for electrolytes during a standard weightlifting workout. Unless you are working out outdoors or you sweat excessively, maintaining electrolyte balance shouldn’t be a concern.
RYSE EAAs contain no artificial dyes or colors. In this day there really isn’t a need for either. Consumers don’t care how the product looks; they just mix it in a shaker bottle and get on with their workout.
One serving contains a single gram of carbohydrate, making this easy to fit into any diet. It also contains 250mg of coconut water powder, which to my knowledge does not provide any tangible benefit.
Supplement Formula Rating: 8/10
Taste
RYSE EAAs come in Strawberry Pineapple, Tropical Snocone, Peach Mango Tea, and Cherry Limeade. Strawberry Pineapple and Tropical Snocone were available at my local retailer and I opted for Strawberry Limeade. Quite frankly, every company has a snow cone amino or pre workout flavor and I’m not sure why, as they’ve all been underwhelming.
Strawberry Pineapple was the right choice. I was surprised to read other reviews that complained about an aftertaste because I actually thought this product lacked that, which was refreshing. As someone who’s taken supplements consistently for a decade, perhaps I’m just used to it.
During workouts I mix this product with Gatorade powder, to get a combination of aminos and easily digestible carbohydrates. The combo of RYSE EAAs and Gatorade powder tastes amazing.
The taste rating is based on the Strawberry Pineapple flavor only, but I’d like to get my hands on Peach Mango Tea one day.
Taste Rating: 9/10
Price
Strangely, the price of RYSE EAAs is all over the place. Different online and in-store retailers offer different prices. I purchased the product for $30 at a Vitamin Shoppe store. Perhaps this was a sale price but that wasn’t denoted on the shelf. The reason I mention this is because every online price point is higher than $30.
If this is the long term price than $1 per serving is quite good. Even at other retailers, where the price may go up to $35, it is better or at the very least similar to other EAA products.
Price Rating: 8/10
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