NutraKey BCAA Optima Post Workout Recovery Complex, No Sugar, No Carb, Recovery Aid, Blue Raspberry

I received this in a subscription box (Monarch Fitness) and have been using it for a few weeks. I have the green apple flavor in case listings are ever merged.I don't follow the directions exactly, but this is still working for me. I put one scoop in 32 ounces of water (rather than 16 ounces). This is standard practice for me with any BCAA powder, to try it at half strength first. I almost always find I get better dissolution and a more palatable flavor. That is definitely true here, as well. (I still have a tiny bit of trouble getting this to dissolve in 32 ounces of water, but it is ice water that I am using, so the temperature probably plays a role. I will say that, when I have finished this off at the end of a workout session, the last few gulps are much less gritty than with some competing products. I definitely appreciate that. And you don't need to use a shaker cup or blender with this.)The flavor is not very strong, I'll be honest. It has a hint of sweetness (it is non-caloric, though, which is appreciated). But that is OK. I was worried this would be too tart, but it's not. (It's not very much like an actual green apple, either, but I'm honestly fine with that.) One thing I really appreciate is that it doesn't appear to have artificial dyes in it. I have tried a lot of other BCAA products that become garish purple and orange colors when dissolved in water, and I don't really see the point to that. So I appreciate that this doesn't change colors.I actually put this in the water that I drink while working out. I like that it has electrolytes to replace those I lose from sweating. But at the same time, it is not making me retain water (I can check this easily by how well my rings fit). I have two goals with this product:(1) Retain lean muscle mass. I am a vegetarian and I don't get a lot of protein in my diet normally, but I do a ton of cardio and I am worried about losing muscle mass. However, my proportion of muscle to fat has improved over the past few weeks. I am not gaining muscle, but I am not doing a ton of weight lifting right now either, and I am in a calorie deficit, so I would not expect to. But at least I am not losing muscle.(2) Recover from delayed onset muscle soreness. I have found that BCAAs work really well for this. I have started up a couple of kettlebell workouts per week again and jumped right in with the 20-pound kettlebell (I am a small-framed woman so this is pretty heavy for me). And I was a bit sore the next day, but by the second day, the soreness was gone, and it hasn't come back. So I think this is doing its job there, as well.In the end, this is working well for me with respect to muscle mass (at least as well as you can measure that on a body fat scale, and I do know those are not 100% accurate) and delayed onset muscle soreness. Plus it dissolves pretty well and doesn't have any calories or artificial dyes. So I am happy. I would buy this for sure if I ever run out of BCAAs to try.

Taste great !!!Great product !!!It really works !!!

Flavor is good. Can be a little to sweet but it grows on you. I have finished an entire tub and will order another.

Taste is off, there are black flecks of something inside the mixture, and when I tried to return this product I was forced to deal with the manufacturer who didn’t respond.

Truly love this product when working out as well after to replenish my body with needed supliments. Ordering was easy and product was exactly as advertised and delivered within the guidance given at time of order. Thanks I will be ordering more!

I have been using this product for years, I usually mixed it with hot tea (2 to 3 times a day). It mixes easy with water (in my case, hot water). I’ve shopped around and found Amazon‘s price is best (solid value).

It gives u energy for your workout

I've been using this brand and flavor for years. Truth be told, I usually purchase the product from my gym, but when I remember to purchase it online I do because it's a good 4 to 5 dollars cheaper.This product is usually a fine powder but when I opened the container it was all clumped up. It looked like a power that gets wet and then is dried out as is.The package was sealed. In fact there are two seals.It may be a one in a million event. But im not taking a chance. Into the trash it goes and I'll purchase at my gym tomorrow.I'm not telling you to stay away. The flavor and chemistry is good on this family of products. I am telling to be careful purchasing online since this phenomenon could be factory related OR warehouse/truck humidity related.