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When it comes to picking one of the best BCAA supplements, you have options. Depending on your needs, you can opt for a straight BCAA or look for one with additional ingredients, like caffeine or electrolytes, to check multiple boxes at once.
Evlution Nutrition BCAA Energy is a multipurpose BCAA supplement. It contains 5 grams of BCAAs to support muscle growth, plus caffeine, green tea extract, and B vitamins to support energy and focus. These energizing ingredients make BCAA Energy a good choice for taking pre-workout or even intra-workout.
Keep reading our full Evlution Nutrition BCAA Energy review for our experience with this product and who we think it’s ideal for.
Medical disclaimer: This article is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for medical advice. For health advice, contact a licensed healthcare provider. GGR also recommends choosing a product that has been third-party tested for quality.
Breaking Down BCAAs, One Product At A Time
Our team of sport and nutrition pros includes CrossFit coaches, registered dietitians, and competitive weightlifters who personally try each supplement we review. We’ve tested almost 20 BCAA supplements for taste, solubility, and effects so we can give you the most honest assessment in our reviews.
Two GGR senior staffers, who are both certified personal trainers, replaced their usual pre-workout with BCAA Energy to see how it works. Based on their experience, they rated the product in the following categories:
- Formulation
- Price
- Taste
- Solubility
- Side effects
- Third-party testing
- Customer service
- Customer reviews
Evlution Nutrition BCAA Energy
Evlution Nutrition BCAA Energy
Product Highlights
- 5 grams of BCAAs per serving
- 2:1:1 BCAA ratio
- May support muscle growth and recovery
- Improve energy, focus, and endurance
- Available in 13 flavors
- 110 milligrams of
- Contains taurine, L-alanine, beta-alanine, vitamin B and C
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Large variety of flavors (13)
- Has vitamins and antioxidants
- Taste
- Natural caffeine
- Mixes well
Cons
- Artificial ingredients
- Contains sucralose
Bottom Line
Available in 13 tasty flavors, Evlution Nutrition’s BCAA Energy powder combines 5 grams of BCAAs, naturally occurring caffeine, vitamins, and antioxidants into one product.
A Quick Look at Evlution Nutrition BCAA Energy
Evlution Nutrition, also known as EVL, is a sport nutrition supplement brand. Their product line is extensive and reads like a one-stop shop for fitness needs with categories for pre-workout supplements, whey protein powders, creatine products, vitamins, testosterone boosters, pump enhancers, and fat burners.
EVL categorizes their BCAA Energy supplement as a pre-workout, post-workout, and amino acid supplement. Indeed, it has a versatile ingredient list that contains branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) and caffeine, making it a hybrid supplement of sorts.
What are BCAAs, you might ask? They’re the essential amino acids leucine, lysine, and valine, and they may help muscle growth and improve recovery. There’s evidence that taking BCAAs before exercise1 reduces post-workout soreness more than taking it after working out, so this, in combination with the caffeine, may make using this supplement as a pre-workout the best option.
However, EVL also offers BCAA Energy + Electrolytes, which is the same formula but has added minerals to support hydration and replace electrolytes lost in sweat.
Before You Buy
- BCAA Energy contains 5 g BCAAs per serving in a 2:1:1 ratio.
- This is a zero-calorie supplement, with 0 grams of carbs and sugar.
- This product contains artificial sweetener, flavoring, and food dye.
Is Evlution Nutrition BCAA Energy Worth It?
If you’re looking for a dietary supplement that can boost energy and provide recovery support, BCAA Energy might be a good fit.
It’s lower in caffeine than a lot of pre-workouts, making it a good choice for anyone sensitive to stimulants or who wants to start with a low-dose formula (We even named it on our best pre-workouts with BCAAs list). If you already have a pre-workout you love, this probably isn’t the right product for you.
Great for:
- Anyone new to pre-workout
- Individuals with a lower tolerance to caffeine
- Reducing post-workout muscle soreness
Not recommended for:
- Those who already have a favorite pre-workout
- Anyone who avoids artificial ingredients
- Athletes and competitors who need third-party testing
Evlution Nutrition BCAA Energy Specs
| Price per serving | $0.80 |
| Flavors | Fruit Punch, Green Apple, Rocket Pop, Orange Blast, Watermelon, Pink Lemonade, Cherry Limeade, Furious Grape, Pink Starblast, Blue Raz |
| BCAAs per serving | 5 g |
| L-Leucine dosage | 2.5 g |
| L-Isoleucine dosage | 1.25 g |
| L-Valine dosage | 1.25 g |
| Other key ingredients | Beta-alanine, L-alanine, taurine, caffeine, green tea leaf extract, vitamin B6, vitamin B12 |
| Calories per serving | 0 |
| Sweeteners | Sucralose, Acesulfame Potassium (Ace K) |
| Third-party tested? | No |
Experience Using Evlution Nutrition BCAA Energy
We turned to two GGR staffers, both who are somewhat sensitive to caffeine, to try out BCAA Energy in their daily routines. Both of our testers found BCAA Energy hits the sweet spot in terms of providing an energy boost without side effects.
Our senior director of content, Kate Meier, NASM-CPT, USAW-L1, CF-L1, tends to keep caffeine intake low. “I usually have one cup of coffee a day; much more than that and I feel miserable,” says Kate. “However, taking this BCAA with caffeine didn’t make me feel too energetic or jittery from too much caffeine.”
GGR’s head of content, Nicole Davis, CPT, PN1-NC, says she’s sensitive to most pre-workout ingredients, but also tolerated BCAA Energy without issue. “I was actually hoping for more of a pick-me-up for a workout,” says Nicole. “I still think this would be good as a midday boost.”
Price Per Serving
Each tub of BCAA Energy costs $23.99 and contains 30 servings, which is $0.80 per serving. Two of the ten flavors—Cherry Limeade and Fruit Punch— are available in 65 serving tubs and sell for $51.95, which is still 80 cents per serving.
RELATED: Are BCAAs Worth It?
Sometimes BCAA Energy is priced lower on Amazon, so shop around for the best price. Either way, under $1 per serving is a solid price point and earns this product 4 out of 5 stars for price.
Formulation
BCAA Energy contains the following active ingredients:
- BCAAs
- Beta-alanine
- L-alanine
- Taurine
- Natural Energizers (caffeine and green tea extract)
- Vitamin C as ascorbic acid 100% DV
- Vitamin B6 as pyridoxine HCl 588% DV
- Vitamin B12 as methylcobalamin 1250% DV
Each serving of BCAA Energy contains a total of 5 grams of BCAAs. It’s recommended to take at least 2 grams of BCAAs2 in a ratio of two parts leucine to one part isoleucine and one part valine, since leucine is the most important BCAA for muscle protein synthesis. BCAA Energy contains 2,500 milligrams of leucine and 1,250 milligrams each of isoleucine and valine per serving, which is the preferred 2:1:1 ratio.
Beta-alanine, L-alanine, and taurine are amino acids that may enhance exercise performance during intense workouts. Studies have found beta-alanine3 and taurine4 can increase muscular endurance and delay fatigue. A 2020 animal study5 found combining L-alanine with BCAAs increases the bioavailability of the BCAAs.
RELATED: What is Beta-Alanine?
BCAA Energy contains 110 milligrams of natural caffeine sourced from coffee beans and green tea extract. For comparison, there’s about 95 milligrams of caffeine6 in a cup of coffee.
The presence of artificial ingredients keeps this product from earning a perfect score. We rated it a 4 out of 5 for ingredients.
Taste and Solubility
BCAA Energy comes in 10 fruity flavors. Our testers, Kate and Nicole, tried Blue Raz and Furious Grape respectively. “Blue Raz has a fantastic taste,” says Kate. “I could literally drink this during my work day just for the taste and slight energy boost.”
Nicole thought the grape flavor could be stronger. “I was hoping the flavor would be more pronounced,” she said. “It’s not awesome, but it’s fine.”
Other customer reviews have noted some flavors seem to be punchier, while others come across more diluted. Of course, the flavor you like best comes down to personal preference and with so many flavors to choose from, you’re likely to find one you enjoy. Since the flavor can be hit or miss, we rate it a 4 out of 5.
Neither of our testers experienced any issues with mixing and solubility, so we give BCAA Energy a 5 out of 5 in that department.
Side Effects
Our testers didn’t experience any side effects, but the beta-alanine and caffeine in BCAA Energy could cause mild side effects in some people.
Beta-alanine can cause skin tingling7, called paraesthesia. This side effect is more common with higher doses than what’s found in this product.
If you’re used to consuming caffeine, you’re not likely to feel more than a burst of energy that’s comparable to drinking a cup of coffee with a single serving of BCAA Energy. If you get caffeine from other sources or you’re sensitive to caffeine, you may notice jitters, irritability, or trouble sleeping.
Since these potential side effects are mild and temporary, we rated this product a 5 out of 5 for side effects.
Third-Party Testing
Evlution is a popular sports nutrition supplement brand, but there’s no mention of third-party testing on their website or products. A lack of third-party testing doesn’t mean a supplement isn’t safe or effective, but we always prefer the extra peace of mind whenever possible. For this reason, we have to rate BCAA Energy a 2 out of 5 for third-party testing.
Evlution Nutrition BCAA Energy vs XTEND BCAA
XTEND BCAA
XTEND Original BCAA Powder
Product Highlights
- 7 grams of BCAAs in a 2:1:1 ratio
- Helps muscle recovery and growth
- May improve overall performance
- Contains zero sugar, calories, or carbs
- Added electrolytes for improved hydration and recovery
- Third-party tested
- Free from banned substances
- 8 flavors
- 30- or 90-day supply
Pros & Cons
Pros
- 8 unique flavors
- 7 grams of BCAAs per serving
- Does not have a bitter taste
- Electrolyte blend for hydration
- Third-party tested and certified
Cons
- Contains sucralose/artificial sweetener
- Contains food dyes
Bottom Line
If you’re looking for a boost of electrolytes and some high-quality BCAAs, Xtend may be a good choice for you. It contains artificial sweeteners, which do a great job at masking any bitter taste but may be a dealbreaker for some. Key ingredients include L-Leucine, L-Glutamine, L-Isoleucine, L-Valine, electrolyte blend, and citrulline malate.
BCAA Energy is our top pick for a BCAA pre-workout supplement, but how does it compare to some of our other preferred BCAA supplements? Our pick for best budget BCAA is XTEND BCAA, which we’ve also reviewed and earned a similar rating to BCAA Energy.
Both supplements come in a nice selection of fruity flavors and deliver BCAAs in a 2:1:1 ratio. XTEND contains more BCAAs overall, with 7 grams per serving versus 5 grams per serving in BCAA Energy.
Since XTEND does not contain energizing ingredients, it’s a good choice for anyone looking for just BCAAs. XTEND is also NSF and Informed Choice certified, making it a better choice for athletes who undergo regular substance testing.
Check out our XTEND BCAA review for more information.
| Evlution Nutrition BCAA Energy | XTEND Original BCAA | |
| Price per serving | $0.80 | $0.93 |
| Flavors | Fruit Punch, Green Apple, Rocket Pop, Orange Blast, Watermelon, Pink Lemonade, Cherry Limeade, Furious Grape, Pink Starblast, Blue Raz | Blue Raspberry Ice, Orange Cream, Glacial Grape, Italian Blood Orange, Knockout Fruit Punch, Freedom Ice, Smash Apple, Mango Madness, Watermelon Explosion, Lemon-Lime Squeeze, Strawberry Kiwi Splash |
| BCAAs per serving | 5 g | 7 g |
| L-Leucine dosage | 2,500 mg (2.5 g) | 3,500 mg (3.5 g) |
| L-Isoleucine dosage | 1,250 mg (1.25 g) | 1,750 mg (1.75 g) |
| L-Valine dosage | 1,250 mg (1.25 g) | 1,750 mg (1.75 g) |
| Other key ingredients | Beta-alanine, caffeine, l-alanine, taurine, vitamin B6, vitamin B12 | L-glutamine |
| Calories per serving | 0 | 0 |
| Sweeteners | Sucralose, Acesulfame Potassium | Sucralose |
| Third-party tested? | No | NSF, Informed Choice |
Customer Experience
You can earn free gifts with certain spending amounts and there are discounts for military and first responders on evlnutrition.com.
Every product listing features a 30-day money-back guarantee, but the fine print is impossible to locate. It’s unclear if every order is backed with a money-back guarantee or if it only applies the first time you try a product.
The return policy states they only accept returns of damaged products and you must have ordered from their website. For more information or to start a return, email customercare@evlnutrition.com.
Ordering Evlution Nutrition BCAA Energy
You can order BCAA Energy from the Evlution Nutrition website. EVL products are also available through Amazon, Walmart, and The Vitamin Shoppe. You can find a full list of retailers on their site.
To order from EVL, simply choose the flavor you want from a dropdown menu, place it in your cart, and checkout. EVL only offers standard shipping, which costs $5.99 and takes 2 to 5 business days to receive in the contiguous states. Orders over $74 ship free.
Customer Reviews
Thousands of reviewers think EVL BCAA Energy is a great product. Need proof? There are over 5,500 reviews for BCAA Energy on the Evlution website, where the product has earned a 4.9-out-of-5-star rating, and nearly 13,000 Amazon reviews with an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars.
Most reviewers say this product tastes good, mixes easily, and improves energy and focus without side effects. Most use it as a pre-workout, but some recommend it for anytime energy. “This product doesn’t make me jittery or anxious and is easy to control how much of a boost I want for my workout with 1 to 3 scoop serving size variations,” writes one EVL customer.
While most customers use BCAA Energy as a pre-workout, many also tout its BCAA benefits, namely post-workout recovery. “I’ve noticed a significant reduction in post-workout soreness, allowing me to hit the gym more consistently,” writes one Amazon customer.
Final Verdict of Our Evlution Nutrition BCAA Energy Review
BCAA Energy is exactly what it sounds like: branched-chain amino acids plus energizing ingredients. Combining these ingredients allows you to use one product to support both energy levels during a workout and muscle recovery after exercise.
- BCAA Energy contains 5g BCAAs per serving.
- The BCAAs are in a 2:1:1 ratio, which aligns with current evidence-based dosing recommendations.
- This is a lower-stim product, with approximately the same amount of caffeine per serving found in one cup of regular coffee.
- BCAA Energy contains artificial sweeteners, artificial flavor, and food dye and is not third-party certified.
Evlution Nutrition BCAA Energy Rating
Evlution Nutrition BCAA Energy Review
Evlution Nutrition BCAA Energy is a BCAA supplement with a 2:1:1 ratio of BCAAs, plus a 110-gram dose of caffeine.
Product In-Stock: InStock
4.08
Evlution Nutrition BCAA Energy: FAQs
Are branched-chain amino acids healthy?
Branched-chain amino acids are also essential amino acids, which everyone needs for normal functioning. BCAAs have to come from dietary sources, since the human body can’t make them on its own. Some studies link BCAA intake to increased muscle protein synthesis, which can support muscle building and counteract age-related muscle loss.
How much caffeine is in Evlution Nutrition BCAA Energy?
A serving of BCAA Energy contains 110 milligrams of caffeine sourced from coffee beans and green tea extract. It’s comparable to a cup of coffee, which has approximately 95 milligrams of caffeine.
What are the benefits of BCAA Energy for workouts?
BCAA Energy contains caffeine, green tea extract, and B vitamins to increase energy and sharpen mental focus. This boost can help motivate you to workout and enhance exercise performance and endurance. The BCAAs help your muscles repair and rebuild after exercise, which can result in less muscle soreness and faster recovery.
What flavors are available for Evlution Nutrition BCAA Energy?
Evlution Nutrition BCAA Energy is available in the following 10 fruity flavors: Fruit Punch, Green Apple, Rocket Pop, Orange Blast, Watermelon, Pink Lemonade, Cherry Limeade, Furious Grape, Pink Starblast, and Blue Raz.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any diseases.
References
- Ra SG, Miyazaki T, Kojima R, et al. Effect of BCAA supplement timing on exercise-induced muscle soreness and damage: a pilot placebo-controlled double-blind study. J Sports Med Phys Fitness. 2018;58(11):1582-1591. doi:10.23736/S0022-4707.17.07638-1
- Arroyo-Cerezo A, Cerrillo I, Ortega Á, Fernández-Pachón MS. Intake of branched chain amino acids favors post-exercise muscle recovery and may improve muscle function: optimal dosage regimens and consumption conditions. J Sports Med Phys Fitness. 2021;61(11):1478-1489. doi:10.23736/S0022-4707.21.11843-2
- Maté-Muñoz JL, Lougedo JH, Garnacho-Castaño MV, et al. Effects of β-alanine supplementation during a 5-week strength training program: a randomized, controlled study. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2018;15:19. Published 2018 Apr 25. doi:10.1186/s12970-018-0224-0
- Kurtz JA, VanDusseldorp TA, Doyle JA, Otis JS. Taurine in sports and exercise. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2021;18(1):39. Published 2021 May 26. doi:10.1186/s12970-021-00438-0
- Mantuano P, Bianchini G, Cappellari O, et al. Ergogenic Effect of BCAAs and L-Alanine Supplementation: Proof-of-Concept Study in a Murine Model of Physiological Exercise. Nutrients. 2020;12(8):2295. Published 2020 Jul 30. doi:10.3390/nu12082295
- USDA FoodData Central. Brewed coffee. Available at: https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/171890/nutrients
- Trexler ET, Smith-Ryan AE, Stout JR, et al. International society of sports nutrition position stand: Beta-Alanine. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2015;12:30. Published 2015 Jul 15. doi:10.1186/s12970-015-0090-y
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