Foods High in Branched-Chain Amino Acids

The branched-chain amino acids -- leucine, isoleucine and valine -- are three of the eight essential amino acids you must obtain through your diet. They share a similar branched shape, which sets them apart from other amino acids, but they're still used to produce proteins in your body. They also fill roles that support your muscles. You can count on getting varying amounts of all three amino acids from protein-containing foods.

Chicken breast slices on a plate. (Image: vikif/iStock/Getty Images)

Benefits of Branched-Chain Amino Acids

The branched-chain amino acids, or BCAAs, are metabolized in your muscles, where they provide an important source of energy. They also promote protein synthesis in muscles and reduce exercise-induced muscle damage, according to an article in the September 2008 issue of the “Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness.” In a controlled study where men participated in an eight-week resistance training program, the group that took BCAA supplements gained more lean mass and lost more weight than men who did not take BCAAs, according to a report in the July 2009 issue of the “Journal of International Society of Sports Nutrition.”

Best Sources of BCAAs

The best sources of BCAAs are meat, chicken, fish, dairy products and eggs, reports NYU Langone Medical Center. As a guideline, you can figure on consuming about 1.7 grams of leucine and 1 gram each of isoleucine and valine from a 3-ounce serving of meat, poultry or fish or from 1/2 cup of cottage cheese. A cup of milk contains about half that amount. Whey protein is another good option for boosting your intake of BCAAs.

Plant-Based Choices

Soybeans, baked beans, lima beans, lentils, brown rice, whole wheat, corn and nuts such as almonds and cashews are good sources of branched-chain amino acids, reports the Huntington College of Health Sciences. Of all the plant-based foods, beans have the highest amount of total protein, so they're the best choice for BCAAs. One cup of vegetarian baked beans has about 1 gram of each of the BCAAs. By comparison, 1 cup of cooked brown rice and quinoa have 0.4 gram of leucine, 0.2 gram of isoleucine and 0.3 gram of valine.

Recommended Daily Intake

The recommended dietary allowance for leucine is 42 milligrams for every kilogram, or 2.2 pounds, of body weight. You should get 19 milligrams per kilogram of isoleucine and 24 milligrams per kilogram of valine. Healthy people can get enough BCAAs by consuming their RDA for total protein, which is 46 grams daily for women and 56 grams for men. If you're sick or injured, you may need to boost your BCAA intake. Therapeutic dosages range from 1 gram to 5 grams daily, reports NYU Langone Medical Center, but talk to your health care provider if you have any concerns about your protein intake.