Transparent Labs BCAA Glutamine Review (2024): An Expert-Approved, Third-Party Tested BCAA Behemoth

Given their positive influence on post-workout recovery, the best BCAA supplements have become a staple in many nutritional regimens. (1) Transparent Labs BCAA Glutamine, however, takes the formulation further by including glutamine in the mix — a nonessential amino acid that can work productively with BCAAs to help improve muscle recovery and potentially prevent of delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS). (2)(3) That said, is this elevated powder a true standout within the supplement category? Can one ingredient make that big of a difference?

In our experience testing over 25 different BCAA supplements, we’ve consistently ranked Transparent Labs BCAA Glutamine among the best for athletes given its easy-to-mix solubility, appealing flavor profiles, and hydrating qualities brought on by the inclusion of other key ingredients like coconut water powder. In this Transparent Labs BCAA Glutamine review, we’ll dive deep into the formulation and provide hands-on notes on taste, solubility, and other factors. For more information on how we test supplements for our content, be sure to read our BarBend supplement testing methodology page.

Medical disclaimer: The content on BarBend is meant to be informative in nature, but it should not be taken as medical advice. The opinions and articles on this site are not intended for use as diagnosis, prevention, and/or treatment of health problems. It’s always a good idea to talk to your doctor before beginning a new fitness, nutritional, and/or supplement routine. Individual needs for vitamins and minerals will vary.

Main Takeaways

• Transparent Labs BCAA Glutamine features a BCAA ratio of 2:1:1 — an optimal split for efficient muscle protein synthesis per our expert contributor. (4)
• This BCAA powder is available in four flavor options, albeit without an Unflavored variety.
• The $1.33 cost per serving is above the $0.91 average we’ve seen in other BCAA supplements.

Transparent Labs BCAA Glutamine Specs

Available in one 30-serving container size, BCAA Glutamine from Transparent Labs (previously marketed as CoreSeries BCAA Glutamine) is available for $39.99 per tub, which equates to roughly $1.33 per serving. In that dose, you can expect 8,000 milligrams of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs). These vegan BCAAs are ratioed at 2:1:1 meaning the L-leucine is dosed at 4,000 milligrams per serving while L-isoleucine and L-valine are dosed at 2,000 milligrams each.

“Studies report that this 2:1:1 ratio is the most optimal BCAA count, especially regarding the role BCAAs play in protein synthesis,” notes Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, registered dietitian nutritionist and our expert contributor. (4)

In addition to the BCAAs, TL’s BCAA Glutamine ranks amongst the best glutamine supplements given its inclusion of 5,000 milligrams of L-glutamine. Glutamine differs from other essential amino acids (like L-leucine, L-isoleucine, and L-valine) in that it can be produced within our bodies — it doesn’t need to be ingested through our diets. However, glutamine supplementation, according to studies, can be beneficial for muscle recovery and post-workout soreness. (2) The 5,000 milligrams present in TL’s formulation are also aligned with glutamine’s tolerable upper intake dosage of up to 40 grams daily. (5)

Other key ingredients listed in Transparent Labs BCAA Glutamine include vitamin C and coconut water powder. Vitamin C can be excellent for immune support, while coconut water powder can aid with hydration. (6)(7) These perks can be especially helpful for athletes who prefer to take BCAAs as an intra-workout supplement, keeping your cells functioning and well-hydrated throughout your training session.

In terms of flavors, BCAA Glutamine can be found in four distinct tastes, each with a fruit-inspired base. Unfortunately, though, there is no Unflavored option. This can be a detriment to those who prefer to add their BCAA powder to some of the best pre-workout supplements as a sort of all-in-one concoction before training. Plus, Bourgeois states, “Transparent Labs uses stevia as its main sweetening agent. While I appreciate the abstinence from artificial sweeteners, some athletes may experience some gastrointestinal distress from the stevia.” (8)

Like other Transparent Labs products, BCAA Glutamine is third-party tested for label accuracy and formulation purity. The Informed Choice seal of approval provides reassurance that this BCAA powder contains no banned substances and that all included ingredients are listed accurately across the supplement facts. We always recommend looking for supplements with third-party testing, as it can be a quick and easy way to confirm that what’s listed on the container is actually present in the makeup without any funny business happening in the shadows.

Who Should Use / Who Shouldn’t Use Transparent Labs BCAA Glutamine

Naturally, Transparent Labs BCAA Glutamine is not the lone BCAA powder available for those looking to lessen muscle damage and optimize recovery. Some formulations may be better than others when it comes to getting the most BCAA benefits for your dollar. Below are a few camps we feel could fare well with BCAA Glutamine along with a few that may prefer a different BCAA supplement source.

Recommended for:

• Athletes wanting an amino acid supplement free of artificial flavors, sweeteners, or preservatives
• Individuals looking for a BCAA 2:1:1 ratio for optimal muscle protein synthesis
• Those needing a third-party tested BCAA powder

Not Recommended for:

• Athletes wanting an Unflavored BCAA powder that can be mixed more easily with other supplements
• Budget-minded individuals not willing to pay over $1 per serving for BCAAs
• Those sensitive to products using stevia as a sweetening agent

Our Experience Using Transparent Labs BCAA Glutamine

We’ve tested 26 different BCAA supplements over the years, and in that span, we’ve come to understand what separates a high-quality product apart from the competition (if anything, we know the difference between BCAAs versus EAAs). We trialed Transparent Labs BCAA Glutamine in a similar fashion, examining the active ingredients and formulation along with the powder’s taste, solubility, price, and more. We’ve also rated our findings on a scale of 1 (lowest) to 5 (highest) to give you a more digestible feel for its performance overall.

Ingredients and Formulation

The ingredients and formulation of BCAA Glutamine are standout features of this Transparent Labs offering. Not only is this BCAA powder gluten-free and non-GMO, but the amino acids used in the makeup are vegan-friendly as they’re sourced from microbial cultures. Plus, the 2:1:1 ratio between the included L-leucine, L-isoleucine, and L-valine can be best for supporting muscle protein synthesis — the catalyst for muscle growth and development. (4)

As a certified nutrition coach, I also appreciate that Transparent Labs doses key ingredients with efficient means. For example, both the L-glutamine (5,000 milligrams) and vitamin C (1,500 milligrams) are within their respective tolerable upper limits. (5)(9) The added 1,000 milligrams of coconut water powder also give this BCAA supplement a boost of hydration, making it an effective intra-workout solution.

However, I wouldn’t recommend this as a standalone pick for rehydration. There aren’t added electrolytes like sodium or potassium within the makeup, which are vital for managing your body’s pH levels and maintaining fluid balance. (10) If you’re looking for a better thirst-quenching solution, I’d recommend some of the best electrolyte supplements over this formulation.

We rate the formulation at 4.5 out of 5, too, given its use of stevia as a sweetener. Yes, Transparent Labs is held in high regard for its lack of artificial sweeteners, colorings, or preservatives, but this natural option can still lead to unwanted distress in some athletes. “Stevia can be a fine sweetener for most,” says Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, a registered dietitian nutritionist and our expert contributor, “But some athletes may experience gastrointestinal distress after consumption.” (8)

Taste

You can’t expect to reap the health benefits of BCAA supplements if the taste is off-putting, right? Like the brand’s range of best-tasting protein powders and pre-workouts, Transparent Labs BCAA Glutamine comes in four available flavors — Strawberry Lemonade, Tropical Punch, Blue Raspberry, and Sour Green Apple — giving you a range of options to please your palate.

Our tester, a certified personal trainer, scores the taste at a conservative 3 out of 5, stating, “I had the Strawberry Lemonade variety, and honestly, the taste is not for me. It has a bitter note to it that isn’t appealing, in my opinion. I also noticed some aftertaste, which I attribute to the stevia. Of course, though, this is my personal opinion, and I’ve had other TL products that taste divine. Online reviews also praise the flavors, so I may be in the minority.”

We also want to point out that Transparent Labs does not offer BCAA Glutamine in an Unflavored variety. This may be a detriment to athletes who typically mix their BCAAs with other supplements like creatine or pre-workout. The flavors present in this formulation may be too overpowering when mixed with another product — a minor point, but a noteworthy one, nonetheless.

Solubility

While taste can be a subjective matter, there’s no denying BCAA Glutamine’s easy-to-mix makeup. Our tester, a certified personal trainer, notes in reference to their 5 out of 5 rating: “There were no clumps in my shaker, and the powder dissolved easily. I also appreciate that there’s no residue with this powder, meaning I don’t need to add water at the end to get a full serving down the hatch.”

While we tested Transparent Labs BCAA Glutamine with some of the best shaker bottles, we feel it could be mixed easily with a spoon, too. The powder doesn’t need aggressive blending to dissolve properly, so a few quick stirs can be enough. This may be a preferred method of choice if your shaker is in between washes, or you’d rather sip your BCAA supplement while getting into a relaxing muscle recovery routine.

Price Per Serving

When it comes to the price of BCAA Glutamine, this BCAA supplement is more expensive than others within the category. The $1.33 cost per serving is more than the $0.91 average we’ve found in other BCAAs, leading to our rating of 3 out of 5. Budget-minded athletes are able to find cheaper alternatives with similar BCAA counts, but these options may not feature an artificial-sweetener-free, third-party-tested formulation.

Despite this above-average price, there are ways to save on Transparent Labs BCAA Glutamine. For example, you can opt into the brand’s ‘Subscribe & Save’ service to net 10% off your order total along with free shipping on repeat deliveries. Your shipping frequency can also be scheduled to a cadence of your choosing, ensuring that your shelves will never run dry of this high-quality BCAA supplement.

Third-Party Testing

Transparent Labs, as the name suggests, prides itself on providing athletes with transparent supplements free of any undesirable ingredients or harmful additives. As such, it’s no surprise that BCAA Glutamine carries third-party testing certification from Informed Choice. We rate BCAA Glutamine at 4.5 out of 5 for the category, as this seal of approval can be helpful in quickly identifying label accuracy.

“Other supplements may hide ingredients through proprietary blends,” notes registered dietitian Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, our expert contributor. “Having that third-party testing helps provide reassurance that BCAA Glutamine is exactly what it says it is.”

What to Consider Before Buying Transparent Labs BCAA Glutamine

As with any supplement purchase — from the best greens powders to clear protein drinks, protein cookies, and more — there are things worth considering before checkout aside from the brand itself. Below are some recommended factors worth pondering over before adding Transparent Labs BCAA Glutamine (or any BCAA supplement, for that matter) to your cart.

• BCAA Per Serving: Studies suggest that a dosage of at least 5 grams of BCAAs per serving can be ideal for supporting muscle recovery and muscle protein synthesis. (11) You should also look for a BCAA ratio of 2:1:1 meaning the serving of L-leucine is double that of L-isoleucine and L-valine. (4)
• Available Flavors: You can’t expect to support your lean muscle growth with BCAAs if the supp tastes bad. Find a powder that suits your palate best, and if you prefer to add your BCAAs to other ingredients, consider an Unflavored option for easier taste compatibility.
• Price Per Serving: On average, BCAA supplements cost roughly $0.91 per serving, with some powders and capsules costing more or less (naturally). Take a look at your finances and determine which price point fits your budget best.
• Third-Party Testing: Having a supplement that’s third-party tested indicates that your BCAA powder is free of banned substances or unwanted contaminants. Additionally, this can be a quick visual confirmation that your supp of choice features an accurate ingredients label, rather than trying to research every ingredient on your own.

Transparent Labs BCAA Glutamine Vs. Competitors

As some of the best post-workout supplements, it’s easy to see that there’s no loss of competition amongst branched-chain amino acid supplements. Many powders and capsules within the category share similar makeups. BCAA ratios, and other qualities, making it difficult to determine which is best for your needs. Below, we’ve created a side-by-side comparison featuring two comparable BCAA powders to Transparent Labs’ BCAA Glutamine — Nutricost BCAA and Jacked Factory BCAA Powder.

Nutricost BCAA can be a better BCAA option for your wallet than TL’s BCAA Glutamine given its cheaper price point of $0.28 per serving. Plus, the 10 available flavors provide more variety than Transparent Labs’ four rostered tastes. However, this Nutricost offering is sweetened with sucralose, an artificial sweetener, which may not agree with every athlete’s stomach. (12) Also, we note that while Nutricost BCAA is listed as third-party tested, the brand does not offer information on the certifying lab, which can be questionable, at best.

If you’re looking for simplicity, Jacked Factory BCAA Powder can deliver. The lone ingredients for this powder include 3,000 milligrams of L-leucine, 1,500 milligrams of L-isoleucine, and 1,500 milligrams of L-valine. The cost is also more appealing at just $0.83 per serving. That said, we prefer Transparent Labs BCAA Glutamine given its longer roster of flavors, as well as its third-party testing accreditation.

Places to Buy Transparent Labs BCAA Glutamine

Transparent Labs BCAA Glutamine is available online directly from the brand’s retail site. Transparent Labs also offers a ‘Subscribe & Save’ service that knocks 10% off the total price and adds free shipping to your scheduled repeat deliveries.

[Related: Transparent Labs Discount Code]

Customer Experience and Brand Reputation

As a brand, Transparent Labs has long been an established figure in sports nutrition for its library of supplements for increased muscle mass, weight loss, in-gym performance, and more. The brand has also earned high praise from us here at BarBend with inclusions in our best creatine supplements, protein powders, and pre-workout round-ups, among others. For inquiries, Transparent Labs can be reached via email at support@transparentlabs.com or by phone at 1-866-324-9557.

In terms of customer reviews, BCAA Glutamine carries the torch well for Transparent Labs, earning a 4.7 out of 5 rating based on 1,285 responses to transparentlabs.com. “Great product, tastes delicious. and all the ingredients are exactly what I was looking for to supplement my diet,” states one positive customer review.

Our Final Verdict on Transparent Labs BCAA Glutamine

While the price is higher than other BCAA supplements, BCAA Glutamine from Transparent Labs remains one of our favorite formulations in the category thanks to its third-party accreditation and optimal 2:1:1 BCAA ratio. (4) The flavor profile can be subjective given the presence of stevia as a sweetening agent, but the four available tastes do give you some room to work and find a palate-pleasing pick for your taste buds. Additionally, including L-glutamine in the makeup gives this powder some extra oomph when it comes to promoting better muscle recovery.

When searching for a BCAA powder, it’s important to look at the BCAA ratio, as well as the amount of BCAAs per serving. Studies report that a ratio of 2:1:1 across servings of at least 5 grams can be optimal for promoting muscle protein synthesis. (4)(11) Both parameters are met by BCAA Glutamine, making it a worthwhile option for athletes needing a new go-to in their daily supplement regimen.

Transparent Labs BCAA Glutamine FAQs

References

1. Salem, A., Trabelsi, K., Jahrami, H., AlRasheed, M. M., Boukhris, O., Puce, L., Bragazzi, N. L., Ammar, A., Glenn, J. M., & Chtourou, H. (2024). Branched-chain amino acids supplementation and Post-Exercise Recovery: An overview of Systematic Reviews. Journal of the American Nutrition Association, 43(4), 384–396. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38241335/
2. Legault, Z., Bagnall, N., & Kimmerly, D. S. (2015). The influence of Oral L-glutamine supplementation on muscle strength recovery and soreness following unilateral knee extension eccentric exercise. International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism, 25(5), 417–426. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25811544/
3. Holeček, M. (2002). Relation between glutamine, branched-chain amino acids, and protein metabolism 1 1guest editor: Gil Hardy, Phd. Nutrition, 18(2), 130–133. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16335256/
4. Iwasawa, Y., Kishi, T., Morita, M., Ikeda, K., Shima, H., & Sato, T. (1991). Optimal ratio of individual branched‐chain amino acids in total parenteral nutrition of injured rats. Journal of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition, 15(6), 612–618. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1766050/
5. Gleeson, M. (2008). Dosing and efficacy of glutamine supplementation in human exercise and sport training. The Journal of Nutrition, 138(10). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18806122/
6. Carr, A., & Maggini, S. (2017). Vitamin C and immune function. Nutrients, 9(11), 1211. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29099763/
7. O’Brien, B. J., Bell, L. R., Hennessy, D., Denham, J., & Paton, C. D. (2023). Coconut water: A sports drink alternative? Sports, 11(9), 183. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37755860/
8. Kasti, A., Nikolaki, M., Synodinou, K., Katsas, K., Petsis, K., Lambrinou, S., Pyrousis, I., & Triantafyllou, K. (2022). The effects of stevia consumption on gut bacteria: Friend or foe? Microorganisms, 10(4), 744. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9028423/
9. Institute of Medicine (US) Panel on Dietary Antioxidants and Related Compounds. (2000). Dietary Reference Intakes for Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Selenium, and Carotenoids. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK225483/
10. Shrinmanker, I., & Bhattarai, S. (2024). Electrolytes — Statpearls. Journal of Electronic Resources in Medical Libraries, 21(3), 147–152. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK541123/
11. Brestenský, M., Nitrayová, S., Patráš, P., Heger, J., & Nitray, J. (2015). Branched chain amino acids and their importance in nutrition. Journal of Microbiology, Biotechnology and Food Sciences, 5(2), 197–202. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/282332420_Branched_chain_amino_acids_and_their_importance_in_nutrition
12. del Pozo, S., Gómez-Martínez, S., Díaz, L. E., Nova, E., Urrialde, R., & Marcos, A. (2022). Potential effects of sucralose and saccharin on Gut Microbiota: A Review. Nutrients, 14(8), 1682. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9029443/

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