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If you feel like amino acid supplements get a lot of hype around the gym, there’s a reason. The body uses amino acids to make proteins, so they’re considered the building blocks of our cells, tissues, and organs. There are 20 amino acids in all, and, thankfully, our bodies can produce most of them. But the nine that our bodies can’t make? We call those essential amino acids or EAAs because it’s essential that we get them from our diet.
RELATED: EAA vs BCAA
Branched-chain amino acids fall into that category, meaning we have to consume dietary sources of leucine, isoleucine, and valine to meet our needs. BCAAs are found in various food sources (like meat, eggs, and dairy products), but research has linked them to many health benefits, leading many people to turn to supplements to cover their bases.
In this Naked BCAAs review, we’ll discuss the science behind branched-chain amino acids and share some insight into why they made our list of the best BCAA supplements.
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.
Over 20 BCAA Supplements Tested by Credentialed Fitness Pros
GGR’s expert testing team consists of certified personal trainers, registered dietitians, certified nutritionists, CrossFit Level 1 trainers, and weightlifting coaches. We take supplement reviews seriously—we know transparent insights are key to making informed decisions. That’s why we’ve tried more than 20 BCAA products, rating them on a scale of 1 to 5 using our GGR supplement testing methodology across various factors, including:
- Price per serving
- Formulation
- Taste
- Solubility
- Side effects
- Third-party testing
- Customer service
- Customer reviews
Naked BCAAs
Naked Nutrition BCAAs
Product Highlights
- Free from any artificial additives
- Formulated with pharmaceutical-grade BCAAs
- Quickly dissolves and absorbed
- Vegan, soy-free, dairy-free, and non-GMO
- Incredible price point at $0.35 a serving
- Key ingredients are just pure BCAAs with a 2:1:1 ratio of leucine, isoleucine, and valine
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Only ingredients are pure BCAAs
- Vegan
- Serving size is just one teaspoon
- 100 servings per container
- Affordable
Cons
- Smells bad
- Taste is bitter
Bottom Line
Naked Nutrition BCAAs are the highest-grade amino acids and free from any additives but the taste leaves much to be desired.
A Quick Look at Naked Nutrition BCAAs
Naked Nutrition was founded in 2014 by former cross country and track All-American Stephen Zieminski (as a former track athlete myself, let me just say—WOW, you’ve got to go check out his PRs). When Zieminski wasn’t impressed by the nutritional value of the sports supplements available at the time, he decided to develop his own, starting with five single-ingredient supplements. Now, Naked Nutrition offers creatine monohydrate powders, pre-workout supplements, electrolyte packets, collagen peptides, whey protein powders, and more. And they’re not just supplements for runners!
Naked Nutrition products are free from artificial flavors, colors, sweeteners, and mixing agents, allowing you to control the taste and texture of the supplements by adding other ingredients. Naked Nutrition BCAAs are no exception. Each serving is packed with 5 grams of vegan BCAAs, formulated to provide pre-workout energy and encourage post-workout muscle recovery. It may be a simple formula, but we’ve got a lot to unpack here. So, let’s get to it!
Before You Buy
- Naked BCAAs are formulated with pharmaceutical-grade BCAAs in a 2:1:1 ratio.
- The formula is vegan-friendly and available in two flavor options.
- Each container contains 100 servings, bringing the cost to around $0.35 per scoop.
Are Naked Nutrition BCAAs Worth It?
While the industry has historically praised BCAA supplements for their role in muscle protein synthesis, updated research from September 20231 found that their effects on muscle growth may not be as magnified as we once thought. Still, branched-chain amino acids play a key role in many aspects of health and fitness, so don’t write them off just yet.
BCAAs, like Naked BCAAs, are often used in conjunction with a hefty training schedule, proper hydration, and a well-balanced diet. Together, these components of a healthy lifestyle can support body composition and fitness goals.
RELATED: What Are BCAAs?
Great for:
- Those who need to boost their protein status, especially individuals on a plant-based diet
- Individuals who like to keep their supplements simple and want a BCAA powder without additives
- Athletes looking to cut down on their supplement budget
Not recommended for:
- Individuals who already regularly use protein powder
- Those who like flavor variety in their supplement options
- Athletes who undergo testing for banned substances
Naked Nutrition BCAAs Specs
| Price per serving | $0.35 |
| Serving size | 1 scoop |
| 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 | Sunflower Lecithin |
| Calories per serving | 20 |
| Sweeteners | None |
| Third-party tested | Unclear |
Experience Using Naked BCAAs
GGR Senior Editor Erin Chancer put Naked BCAAs to the test, relying on her personal experience and fitness credentials (NASM-CNC and ISSA-CPT) to provide a clear picture of the supplement’s effects. She used Naked BCAAs like any of us would, hoping to up her training levels through improved intra-workout endurance and post-workout recovery.
Erin loved that the scoop was right on top when she opened the product (no one likes to go digging for that scoop), and she liked the formula’s 2:1:1 ratio of the essential amino acids. However, she was left wanting more when it came to third-party testing. We’ll get to more on that later, but let’s start with the product’s affordability.
RELATED: Naked Nutrition Naked Mass Review
Price Per Serving
Erin ordered a 100-serving container of unflavored Naked Nutrition BCAAs for $34.99, coming to $0.35 per serving before tax. The same size container of the cherry lime flavor puts you back $39.99 or $0.39 per serving. According to our testing methodology, both options earn 5 out of 5 stars for price as they’re under $0.90 cents per serving. Plus, you can set up a delivery subscription for additional savings. Cha-ching!
Formulation
Naked Nutrition’s BCAAs earned an impressive 4.5 out of 5 stars for their formulation. The 5 grams of BCAAs per serving and 2:1:1 ratio of leucine to isoleucine to valine is right on the money, but it’s important to note that the formula also includes sunflower lecithin. A March 2021 study2 found that sunflower lecithin exhibited pro-inflammatory effects in some people, disrupting the gut microbiome.
Taste and Solubility
Naked BCAAs are available unflavored or in cherry lime. Erin opted for the unflavored option and found that the typical aftertaste of unflavored BCAAs was true here—even without artificial sweeteners in the formula. “Unflavored BCAAs tend to have a slight ‘chemical’ aftertaste, and while I still experienced that here, it wasn’t nearly as unpleasant as others I have tried,” she said, giving it a 4.5 out of 5 for taste.
Naked Nutrition recommends mixing the BCAA powder with a beverage of choice, so Erin mixed her scoop into Powerade. The BCAA aftertaste dissipated as it settled, which brings us to the formula’s solubility. Naked BCAAs scored a perfect 5 out of 5 in this category. Erin found that it dissolved well without any major issues.
Side Effects
Erin didn’t report any negative side effects when taking Naked BCAAs. However she did think they were beneficial, saying, “I do believe I was less sore jumping back into cardio after a break than I usually am.”
No reported negative effects and less muscle soreness earn this high-quality branched-chain amino acid powder a 5 out of 5 from us in this category.
RELATED: Are BCAAs Worth It?
Third-Party Testing
Naked Nutrition mentions third-party testing in the website’s FAQ section, but doesn’t specify which products undergo lab testing. It’s unclear if any governing labs test Naked BCAAs, so it earns a 3 out of 5 in this category. Naked BCAAs are dairy-free, gluten-free, GMO-free, keto-friendly, soy-free, and vegan, but they may not be appropriate for competitive athletes who undergo drug testing.
Naked Nutrition BCAAs vs Kaged BCAAs
Kaged BCAA
Kaged BCAA 2:1:1
Product Highlights
- Kaged BCAA powder uses high-quality, fermented, and non-GMO BCAAs
- Mixes easily with water
- Mix your own system allows you to stack this supplement with your favorite pre-workout drinks
- Informed Sport-certified so safe for athletes
- Each 5.5 grams serving contains 5,000 milligrams of ultra-pure BCAAs in a 2:1:1 ratio
- About 42 cents per serving
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Mixes well
- Vegan
- Informed Sport-certified
Cons
- Taste
Bottom Line
With 5,000 milligrams of ultra-pure BCAAs per serving, Kaged offers a high-quality and fermented supplement that meets vegan criteria.
Put Naked BCAAs in front of Kaged BCAAs, and you might swear that they’re a mirror image of each other. Both BCAA powders contain the same amount of amino acids in the same 2:1:1 ratio, and both contain sunflower lecithin. However, Kaged will cost you a few cents more per serving. Still, some people may be willing to spend a little more, as Kaged BCAAs are third-party tested and Informed Sport certified.
Read our full Kaged Muscle BCAAs Review to learn more.
| Naked BCAAs | Kaged BCAAs | |
| Price per serving | $0.35 | $0.42 |
| Serving size | 1 scoop | 1 scoop |
| BCAAs per serving | 5 g | 5 g |
| L-Leucine dosage | 2.5 g | 2.5 g |
| L-Isoleucine dosage | 1.25 g | 1.25 g |
| L-Valine dosage | 1.25 g | 1.25 g |
| Other key ingredients | Sunflower Lecithin | Sunflower Lecithin |
| Calories per serving | 20 | None |
| Sweeteners | None | None |
| Third-party tested | Unclear | Yes, Informed Sport |
Customer Experience
Naked Nutrition has a fairly strict return policy. Customers can return unopened and unused items within 14 days for a full refund or exchange, less any shipping charges. We didn’t experience any issues, so returns weren’t a concern for us. Orders over $99 ship free on the Naked Nutrition website, or all orders ship free on Amazon for Prime members.
Customer Reviews
Naked BCAAs earned a 4.5 out of 5 stars on Amazon from 1,646 ratings, and a 4.8 out of 5 on the brand’s website out of 282 reviews at the time of writing. People were generally pleased with the effectiveness of the product but not excited about the flavor.
Final Verdict of Our Naked BCAAs Review
Many people turn to BCAA powders to support their muscle-building or weight-loss goals. While research has found that their effects on body composition might not be as impactful as we once thought, BCAA supplements certainly play a role in many avenues of health.
Naked BCAAs are non-GMO, gluten-free, soy-free, and dairy-free. Each scoop provides 5 grams of BCAAs in the well-studied 2:1:1 ratio. When taken alongside a well-balanced diet, they may help increase your training levels and support your journey to building lean muscle mass.
- Each scoop of Naked BCAAs provides a generous 5 g of BCAAs in a 2:1:1 ratio of leucine to isoleucine to valine.
- Naked Nutrition doesn’t specify which of its products undergo third-party testing.
- Naked BCAAs are super affordable at only $0.35 per serving, but the return policy is very strict.
Full Rating
Naked BCAAs
Naked Nutrition BCAAs are the highest-grade amino acids and free from any additives but the taste leaves much to be desired.
Product Brand: Naked Nutrition
Product Currency: $
Product Price: 34.99
Product In-Stock: InStock
4.45
Naked BCAAs: FAQs
What’s the best brand of BCAA?
The best BCAA supplement will vary between individuals, depending on their unique nutrition demands. However, supplements with minimal ingredients and clinically based doses that undergo third-party testing often stand out among experts.
Are BCAAs actually worth it?
You can get your BCAAs from a variety of dietary sources, including eggs, milk, meat, salmon, nuts, tofu, and poultry. However, dietary supplements can bridge the gap if your diet is limited in BCAA sources. Those following a vegan diet may especially benefit from a vegan-friendly BCAA supplement.
What is the downside of BCAA?
If you are eating a diet high in protein, then you may not need to supplement with BCAAs. A registered dietitian or medical doctor can help you navigate your protein needs and discuss contraindications that BCAA powders might present.
Is it OK to take BCAA everyday?
BCAAs are generally considered safe for the average healthy adult. However, it’s best to discuss new supplements with your doctor, especially for those who are under 18, pregnant, trying to conceive, or breastfeeding.
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
- Kaspy MS, Hannaian SJ, Bell ZW, Churchward-Venne TA. The effects of branched-chain amino acids on muscle protein synthesis, muscle protein breakdown and associated molecular signalling responses in humans: an update. Nutr Res Rev. Published online September 8, 2023. doi:10.1017/S0954422423000197
- Naimi S, Viennois E, Gewirtz AT, Chassaing B. Direct impact of commonly used dietary emulsifiers on human gut microbiota. Microbiome. 2021;9(1):66. Published 2021 Mar 22. doi:10.1186/s40168-020-00996-6
Further reading
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