Well, it’s a very common sight to have our supplements expire before we even fully utilize them. And surprisingly, Do BCAAs Expire? Can BCAAs go Bad? are the common questions we all struggle with.
Personally, it was with me too. I was hitting my gym consistently for a year, experiencing good results, and then my membership expired. It was lockdown here due to COVID; everything was closed, online work increased, and I didn’t go to the gym for 5 months. For these 5 months, not even a single day passed when I didn’t think about whether my supplements were right or if I should just throw them into the dustbin.
So the real question arises:
Do BCAAs Go Bad? Yes, there is a reason BCAA supplements do have expiry dates written on their packs. But it isn’t like the expiry date was yesterday, so you can’t consume it today. You can place them in dark and dry places to increase their life.
What Are BCAAs?
Branched Chain Amino Acids(BCAAs) are a group of three essential amino acids. These acids are valine, leucine, and isoleucine. Our body needs these amino acids, but they aren’t made naturally in the body.
Our muscles use BCAAs for protein synthesis, the body’s metabolic processes, and energy production. People take BCAAs in the form of a pre-workout, which gives them extra energy during their workouts.
Can BCAAs Really Expire?
The answer to the question “Can BCAA supplements really expire?” is a definite yes. These days there are many brands of BCAA supplements on the market, and it can be difficult to tell which brands have the best quality. In most cases, it boils down to how much time you have. The longer you keep your BCAA supplement around, the more likely it is that it will expire.
The two main factors are the type of product and the storage conditions. These determine if BCAA supplements will expire and are even safe to keep.
Many times, people get their BCAA supplements rotten; their supplements have bacterial and fungal growth when left in moisture for long periods of time. This eventually makes them of no use to the consumer.
Do BCAA Supplements Ever Go Bad?
Yes, unfortunately. BCAA supplements do expire. You can find the date of expiration on the BCAA supplement itself. This is usually 3 -5 years from the date of purchase. It is important to remember that once you open the BCAA supplement, it only lasts 2 -3 years.
Once you open the BCAA supplement, it will go bad more quickly, and if you cannot finish it before the expiration date, it is necessary to throw it out.
Shelf Life Of BCAAs
BCAA supplements last three to four months on the shelf when unopened. Once you open the product, it lasts about a month.
It also depends on the supplement form you are consuming.
- BCAA powders have a shelf life of one to two years if stored correctly in cool, dark places away from the reach of direct sunlight.
- BCAA Tablets/Capsules – The tablet form has a longer shelf life if stored correctly. They can be good for up to 3 years.
- BCAA Liquids – Many store BCAA in liquid form along with alcohol. These stay useful for several years before expiring.
The average shelf life should be one to two years past the manufacturer’s suggested use-by date. The length of time a supplement can be stored and still be effective varies. Some supplements, such as vitamins, are sensitive to heat, light, and moisture, whereas other supplements may last for years, even at high temperatures.
Supplements can be stored at room temperature, in cool dark places, or in the refrigerator. Never store supplements in the glove compartment of a car or on the dashboard. Heat, light, and moisture will all negatively affect the integrity and effectiveness of supplements.
How Long Do BCAA Supplements Last?
If your BCAAs and other protein supplements are away from direct sunlight in an air-tight container, then they are safe to consume within 2 years of their production. It’s highly expected that they will stay clear from mold, and bacteria without getting bad or rotten.
Also, the health of a BCAA supplement depends on the ingredients and the main source of BCAA extraction.
There are many variants available in the market for the same. Some supplements have caffeine, vitamins, crucial minerals, and many essential amino acids. Each one comes with its own time span of a healthy life.
To be sure that your BCAAs are correct, you can always rely on the manufacturer’s expiration date. Many products do have “best before” or “use by” dates written on the products; for some it means the life of the product, and for others, it’s simply about the freshness.
Is It Safe To Take Expired BCAAs Powder?
To be very straightforward, the expiry date of any product is just an assumption or an estimate of its consumable life if stored in favorable conditions. If the supplements are in a humid or moist environment, they can very well expire before the written date.
Except for the expiry date, the ineffectiveness of the supplement also depends upon the time the container has been open for. Almost every time, BCAA supplements are good to consume even after the expiry date.
BCAA supplements are good enough to consume for a few weeks after expiry date, but if you find a difference in texture, taste, smell, or color of the supplement, then you should surely toss that away.
How To Know If BCAA Has Really Gone Bad?
Though most of the BCAA supplements are consumable even after expiration, not every product has the same life. You should certainly look into these signs just to be sure of your supplement. These will further confirm if they are right:
Mixability Issue: Well, BCAAs being the light supplement, its mixes very well in water. But, if you see any lumps or sedimentation formation, you should certainly avoid consuming them.
Bad Smell: You can judge these supplements also by their smell as you do with other foods. You know your BCAAs have gone bad if you get a stale or nasty smell instead of the usual one.
Color Changes: Make sure you don’t see any black or grey spots around the bottom or on the surface of the container; for those are the signs of bacterial or fungal growth. You should throw that bad supplement right away if you don’t want food poisoning.
Taste Difference: It’s very unusual if you forget the flavor of the supplement after taking it for months; you can very easily judge if it’s the same flavor or if has it undergone some changes. If you feel any kind of difference in the usual taste, then you know it’s gone bad.
These are some signs that can tell if your BCAAs are safe to use. You know you need to throw away your supplements if they are past their expiry dates and not kept in a very hygienic or dry place.
How to Store BCAA Supplements?
Keeping BCAA Supplements away from rotting, bacteria, fungi, etc, isn’t a very big deal. Just store them in some cool and dry place like your refrigerator, and that will be all. If not a refrigerator, you can very well store them in your closet or a bedroom drawer.
To ensure it’s right health and long life, you need to keep its container seal tight, which prevents moisture from worsening the supplement.
USA Emergency Supply advises storing these in cooler temperatures like 72 degrees Fahrenheit or lower.
“It is the worst idea to store your supplements in the kitchen, bathroom, or even your gym bag. These places are literally breeding the consequences you won’t like.”
Do BCAAs Go Bad In Water
The Best Advice: Mix your BCAA only when you are about to drink it.
While there are many people who like to have their BCAA drink throughout the day, if you are one, just make sure your BCAA drink isn’t getting exposed to severe temperature fluctuations. Then, you can consume your BCAA drink within 6-8 hours of mixing.
Consuming BCAA within 6-8 hours of mixing is essential otherwise, there are high chances for protein structure degradation, eventually reducing its quality and effectiveness. You can delay this degradation process by storing your BCAAs at low temperatures.
Do BCAAs Expire Quickly Once The Container Is Open
Yes, once the container is open, it comes into contact with air and moisture and starts expiring faster.
In comparison, vitamins and minerals do last longer than BCAAs. Most people would expect that if a person consumes BCAA powder daily, the product would remain fresh and effective for an extended period. However, if you’ve ever gone to open a BCAA container and found that the contents had turned into an unappetizing liquid, you’ll know this couldn’t be further from the truth.
Unfortunately, BCAA powder has a limited shelf life, and once the container is opened, the product is sorely compromised. The truth is that BCAA powder does have an expiration date.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I Store BCAAs In A Refrigerator?
No, it’s not advised and not a good idea to store BCAA supplements in a fridge. The moisture and humidity of a refrigerator can lead to lump formation and a change in the taste of the supplements.
The perfect choice is to store your supplements in cool, dry, dark places at room temperature.
Do BCAAs Get Bad At High Temperatures?
High temperatures or heat tend to degrade BCAAs and render them as waste. You shouldn’t leave BCAA supplements in hot cars or direct sunlight for a prolonged duration. Storing them in cool and dry places is the key.
What Are The Risks If We Consume Expired BCAAs Powder?
There shouldn’t be any risks or harm if you consume expired BCAAs. They might not be as effective once they are past their expiry dates or might expire earlier if stored in unfavorable conditions.
Final Takeaway
Ensure you consume your supplements within 3-4 months of opening the container when it is perfectly healthy. If you are not able to consume your supplement before expiry, you should reconsider the size of the supplement you buy.
Stay safe, stay healthy.