Transparent Labs BCAA Glutamine Review (2023): The Key to Post-Workout Recovery?

Transparent Labs is renowned for its commitment to high-quality products, avoiding questionable ingredients like dyes, artificial sweeteners, and harmful additives. Grass-fed whey protein powders, creatine monohydrate powders, and branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) supplements are among their most popular products. This article zeroes in on their best-selling BCAA Glutamine product, specially formulated for muscle repair and recovery.

The well-documented benefits of BCAAs make them invaluable to minimize delayed-onset muscle soreness. By incorporating l-glutamine, Transparent Labs BCAA Glutamine adds an extra layer to this product’s potential success.

In this Transparent Labs BCAA Glutamine review, our team of personal trainers, CrossFit coaches, weightlifting competitors, and registered dietitians breaks down the ingredients, taste, solubility, and effectiveness to assist you in determining the product’s true worth.

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.

Key Takeaways

• Every serving contains five active ingredients formulated to stimulate muscle protein synthesis, alleviate muscle fatigue, reduce post-workout soreness, boost post-workout muscle growth, and enhance performance.
• Contains zero colored dyes, unnecessary fillers, artificial sweeteners, or harmful additives.
• Suitable for vegan (made with fermented vegan BCAAs) and gluten-free diets.

Transparent Labs BCAA Glutamine Pros

• All active ingredients are included in clinically effective doses, maximizing your chances of reaping their benefits.
• As the name suggests, this BCAA supplement has a transparent ingredient list. It is also third-party lab tested, ensuring you receive a safe product containing exactly what is stated on the label.
• The four unique flavor options can help keep your taste buds refreshed and prevent monotony.

Transparent Labs BCAA Glutamine Cons

• It is pricier compared to alternative BCAA products, making it potentially unsustainable for some budgets.
• The flavors come off as too sour for some customers. If you don’t like tart beverages, you may want to try another BCAA supplement with sweeter or milder flavors.
• It includes stevia, a natural sweetener that may lead to digestive discomfort in some people.

Transparent Labs BCAA Glutamine Specs

Transparent Labs BCAA Glutamine Rating

The Breaking Muscle staff has researched over 50 BCAA products and tested more than a dozen. We’ve acquired a reliable understanding of their comparative strengths and weaknesses by analyzing their taste, the cost per serving, the amount of BCAAs offered per serving, and whether or not they’re third-party tested.

Here’s how we rated Transparent Labs BCAA Glutamine:

Transparent Labs BCAA Glutamine Review

With numbers like those you’re probably wondering why this product rates so highly in several key areas. Without further ado, let’s delve into the details to answer all your burning questions.

Price Per Serving

Each 1.28-pound tub of Transparent Labs BCAAs costs around $39.99 when making a one-time purchase. With 30 scoops per tub, each serving costs $1.33. The company website offers a monthly subscription that gives you a 10 percent discount on the total price, plus free shipping. If you subscribe, the product cost comes to around $35.99, and each serving is $1.20.

In comparison, XWERKS Motions BCAAs are priced at $1.63 per serving, while Jacked Factory BCAA Powder is available at $0.67 per serving at the time of this writing. Since Transparent Labs BCAA Glutamine falls in the middle of other BCAA supplements we’ve tried, we gave it 4 out of 5 stars.

Formulation

Transparent Labs uses clean, simple, effective ingredients in this product, earning it a solid 4 out of 5 rating for formulation. Active ingredients include a BCAA 2:1:1 ratio of leucine (four grams), isoleucine (two grams), and valine (two grams). These are complemented by five grams of glutamine and one gram of coconut water powder, supplying electrolytes. 

BCAAs are essential amino acids (EAAs) that you must consume through food since the body doesn’t make them. Of the three BCAAs, leucine is most notably a key regulator of muscle protein synthesis, needed to build muscle. (1) The suggested “threshold” for leucine intake is often cited as two to three grams daily to maximize muscle building. (1) However, individual dietary needs may vary, and it’s advisable to consider overall protein intake and dietary sources.

Valine and isoleucine aren’t as involved in muscle protein synthesis, but take on other roles. Valine helps stimulate muscle regeneration and is involved in energy production. Isoleucine supports glucose (sugar) uptake by muscle cells to be used for energy. This could help improve muscular stamina and improve endurance during a workout. 

Glutamine is an addition unique to this product. As the most concentrated amino acid in the human body, it’s crucial for cell function and growth. (2) By enhancing protein synthesis and muscle tissue development, glutamine aids in muscle building and recovery. (2)

One gram of coconut water provides electrolytes, including sodium, potassium, and magnesium. These minerals help regulate fluid balance, nerve function, and muscle contractions. Since you sweat and lose electrolytes during prolonged exercise, electrolytes are important for maintaining proper hydration for optimal physical performance. 

Additional ingredients consist of citric acid for preservation and flavor, natural flavors, stevia for sweetness, tartaric acid for flavor and sourness, and calcium silicate along with silicon dioxide to prevent caking and clumping. 

Stevia is a natural, zero-calorie sweetener commonly used in food, drinks, and supplements that may cause gastrointestinal discomfort in some individuals. Certain components of stevia that are not fully absorbed in the upper digestive tract reach the colon, where they then undergo fermentation, potentially leading to mild gas and bloating.

Available Flavors

The Transparent Labs website offers a selection of four flavors: Sour Green Apple, Tropical Punch, Strawberry Lemonade, and Blue Raspberry. This variety allows you to rotate between flavors, so you don’t get bored. However, we’ve tried other BCAA supplements that offer an even larger range of flavors. For example, Xtend Original BCAA Powder is available in 18 flavors on Amazon, and Optimum Nutrition Essential Amino Energy comes in 10 flavors.

Since the number of flavors available in Transparent Labs BCAA Glutamine is relatively small compared to the competition, we rated it 3 out of 5 stars here.

Taste

Our expert tester wasn’t thrilled with the Strawberry Lemonade flavor of this BCAA supplement, rating this category a 3 out of 5. She described it as bitter with an unfortunate aftertaste, so diluting it with additional water could help reduce the bitterness. Again, we only tested the Strawberry Lemonade, so your experience may vary depending on the flavor you choose.

It’s important to note that customer reviews on the company website are mixed regarding taste. Like our product tester, some aren’t blown away, but others seem to like it. One customer who approves of the taste says, “Tried a few times, the taste of strawberry lemonade is refreshing and it does boost my energy during the workout!” As taste is subjective, determining your preference for this product may require a personal trial.

Solubility

Transparent Labs BCAA Glutamine shines in the area of solubility, earning it a high rating of 5 out of 5. When mixed with liquid, our Breaking Muscle tester noted it dissolved well and didn’t leave behind any clumps or floaties. This is where the non-caking agents included in this product come into effect, delivering a smooth, well-dissolved amino acid supplement. 

Potential Benefits and Side Effects

BCAAs may offer an extended sense of energy and increased time to muscle fatigue, meaning you can train harder for longer. Additionally, BCAAs may reduce muscle damage, inflammation, and DOMS after a workout, so you can get back to training faster. Finally, BCAAs may support the preservation of lean mass during times of fat loss, indirectly supporting weight loss. 

The benefits of BCAA supplements are highly dependent on your diet. If you eat enough protein through food or a quality protein powder, your health benefits from additional BCAAs may be limited. Amino acids are the building blocks of protein, therefore a high-protein diet delivers adequate amounts of BCAAs. 

Our product tester didn’t experience any negative side effects while using this product. When taken in appropriate doses, BCAAs are generally safe. Following the recommended dosage instructions on the product label is advised for safety and effectiveness. 

That said, it’s always important to talk with your doctor before starting a new supplement, especially if you have a pre-existing medical condition or are taking prescribed medications.

Third-Party Testing

All Transparent Labs products are third-party tested, and we gave their BCAA product a perfect 5 out of 5 here. Third-party testing is crucial for athletes who value product quality, safety, and transparency. On the Transparent Labs website, customers can conveniently access certificates of composition and certificates of analysis. These documents provide detailed information about the quantities of active ingredients in each product, along with the results of testing for harmful microbes and heavy metals.

Customers who purchase Transparent Labs BCAA Glutamine can rest easy knowing the product includes what’s on the label and doesn’t contain potentially harmful amounts of heavy metals or contaminants. 

Transparent Labs BCAA Glutamine vs. XWERKS Motion

Transparent Labs BCAA Glutamine and XWERKS Motion may both be BCAA supplements, but they have many differences. Unlike BCAA Glutamine, which only includes two grams of carbs, Motion contains 25 grams of cluster dextrin carbohydrates, which are rapidly absorbed and may enhance physical performance and endurance. Customers using XWERKS Motion may feel more energized due to its carb content. 

On the other hand, BCAA Glutamine contains eight grams of BCAAs, while Motion only includes three grams. Unfortunately, XWERKS uses a blend of BCAAs, so it’s unclear how much of each BCAA you are getting per serving. However, with only three grams total, it’s unlikely each scoop contains the two to three grams of daily leucine known to maximize its muscle-building benefits. They both have a BCAA ratio of 2:1:1, which research suggests is ideal for exercise performance. (3)

Furthermore, XWERKS Motion is only available in one flavor (raspberry lemonade), compared to the four flavors available for Transparent Labs BCAA Glutamine. All Transparent Labs products are third-party tested, but there is no mention of third-party testing on the XWERKS Motion product page. Finally, Motion is more expensive, costing around $1.63 per serving, compared to BCAA Glutamine, which costs $1.33 per serving at the time of writing. 

Transparent Labs BCAA Glutamine Customer Reviews

The product currently isn’t available on Amazon, however, customer reviews on the Transparent Labs website are positive, with a customer rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars. 

One satisfied customer writes, “I’m so excited and happy with my BCAAs. The flavor is amazing! And it’s working wonders on my sore body.” Another customer noticed improvements in muscle recovery and said, “It gives me adequate energy to push myself even further. I have no recovery pain at all, my muscles are at ease & I can go day after day.”

Customers who were less satisfied with the product generally disliked the taste. One verified customer says, “I’ll likely try a different flavor than blue raspberry, as I can’t say it tastes excellent.” Another writes, “I like the fruit punch as the strawberry lemonade was way too sour.” While the flavor was unfavorable for some, most didn’t mind the sour taste and some even described it as refreshing. 

Final Verdict: Is Transparent Labs BCAA Glutamine Worth It?

Transparent Labs BCAA Glutamine has a lot to offer, with eight grams of BCAAs, five grams of glutamine, and a dose of electrolytes. Depending on your overall diet and training regimen, this product could help you reduce muscle fatigue, improve endurance, and build lean muscle mass. At $1.33 per serving, it’s not the most affordable workout supplement, but the third-party testing and clinically effective doses might make it worth the investment. 

FAQs

Research

1. Plotkin, D. L., Delcastillo, K., Van Every, D. W., Tipton, K. D., Aragon, A. A., & Schoenfeld, B. J. (2021). Isolated Leucine and Branched-Chain Amino Acid Supplementation for Enhancing Muscular Strength and Hypertrophy: A Narrative Review. International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism, 31(3), 292-301. Retrieved Nov 24, 2023, from https://doi.org/10.1123/ijsnem.2020-0356
2. O’Connell TM. The Complex Role of Branched Chain Amino Acids in Diabetes and Cancer. Metabolites. 2013; 3(4):931-945. https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo3040931
3. Gervasi M, Sisti D, Amatori S, et al. Effects of a commercially available branched-chain amino acid-alanine-carbohydrate-based sports supplement on perceived exertion and performance in high-intensity endurance cycling tests. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2020 Jan 20;17(1):6. doi: 10.1186/s12970-020-0337-0. PMID: 31959202; PMCID: PMC6971972.