XTEND Original BCAA: What's Inside, How to Use It and Who It Suits

Table of Contents

    XTEND Original by Scivation is a zero-sugar BCAA drink mix you sip during or after training. Each scoop lists 7 g of branched-chain amino acids (3,500 mg leucine, 1,750 mg isoleucine and 1,750 mg valine), 2,500 mg of L-glutamine, 220 mg of sodium and 170 mg of potassium, with no caffeine. It suits people who want a flavoured, low-calorie training drink. Shop XTEND Original BCAA 30 serves.

    At a glance

    Detail XTEND Original BCAA
    Brand XTEND (Scivation), distributed by Nutrabolt
    Type BCAA and electrolyte drink powder
    Serve size 1 scoop, about 12.7 g to 13.8 g depending on flavour
    BCAAs per serve 7 g in a 2:1:1 ratio: 3,500 mg leucine, 1,750 mg isoleucine, 1,750 mg valine
    Other actives per serve 2,500 mg L-glutamine, 220 mg sodium, 170 mg potassium, 0.64 mg vitamin B6
    Energy and sugar per serve 0 to 5 Calories, 0 g sugars
    Caffeine None listed
    Servings / sizes we list 30 serves
    Flavours we list Blue Raspberry Ice, Italian Blood Orange, Smash Apple, Glacial Grape, Watermelon Explosion, Lemon Lime, Freedom Ice, Mango Madness, Strawberry Kiwi Splash
    Dietary notes Zero sugar, sweetened with sucralose and acesulfame potassium. Check the tub for allergen statements.

    What is in XTEND Original

    BCAAs (7 g). Leucine, isoleucine and valine are three of the nine essential amino acids, the ones your body cannot make in meaningful amounts, so they must come from food. XTEND uses a 2:1:1 ratio, which means leucine makes up half of the 7 g.

    Here is the honest part. The Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) places BCAAs in Group C of its Sports Supplement Framework. Group C means the scientific evidence does not support a benefit for athletes, and the AIS does not advocate these supplements in its programs. A 2017 review by Robert Wolfe in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition explains why: building new muscle protein needs all nine essential amino acids to be available, and the review concluded that BCAA supplements on their own do not promote muscle building.

    L-glutamine (2,500 mg). Each scoop also lists 2,500 mg of L-glutamine, another amino acid, plus 0.64 mg of vitamin B6.

    Electrolytes. Each scoop has 220 mg of sodium (from sodium citrate and sodium chloride) and 170 mg of potassium (from potassium chloride). XTEND says these help replenish what you lose in sweat. That is the brand's claim.

    Sweeteners and colours. XTEND Original is sweetened with sucralose and acesulfame potassium and lists 0 g of sugars. Colours come from sources such as spirulina extract, beta-carotene or vegetable juice, depending on the flavour. Across the labels XTEND publishes, each scoop has 0 to 5 Calories.

    The bottom line: treat XTEND as a flavoured, zero-sugar training drink with electrolytes, not as a muscle-building must-have. If muscle is the goal, the evidence points to getting enough complete protein across the day. See how much protein you need per day and our guide on whether you need BCAAs at all.

    Who it suits

    • People who prefer a flavoured, zero-sugar drink to sip during long training sessions.
    • Anyone avoiding caffeine, including evening trainers, as no caffeine is listed on the panel.
    • People who want some sodium and potassium in their training bottle.
    • People who already eat enough protein and simply enjoy an amino drink, knowing the extra muscle benefit is limited.

    Who should check first

    • Pregnant or breastfeeding: talk to your doctor or midwife before using any supplement.
    • Medical conditions: if you have a kidney condition or high blood pressure, or have been told to limit sodium, check with your doctor first. Each scoop has 220 mg of sodium.
    • Medication: ask your pharmacist or doctor before adding a supplement.
    • Under 18: speak with a health professional before use.
    • Allergies: the current label XTEND shows online has no allergen statement, and labels have changed over time, so read the tub you buy.
    • Drug-tested athletes: check Sport Integrity Australia guidance and search the exact product and batch on the certifier databases yourself before use. Our guide to supplements for drug-tested athletes explains how.

    How to use XTEND Original

    The label directions are simple:

    • Mix 1 scoop with 10 to 14 fl oz of water (about 300 to 415 ml), adjusting to taste, and shake well.
    • On training days, have 1 serve during exercise and 1 serve after exercise.
    • On non-training days, have 2 serves spread through the day.

    XTEND says 2 serves a day gives the best results. At that rate a 30-serve tub lasts about 15 days. If you only want it as a training drink, 1 serve sipped during your session makes a tub go further. Because no caffeine is listed, you can have it late in the day without counting it towards your caffeine total.

    How it compares

    • Rapid Recovery by Rapid Supps: an EAA formula. Rapid Supplements says it has all nine essential amino acids, including the BCAAs, so it suits people who want more than the three BCAAs.
    • Legit Recovery EAA Formula: Legit Supplements says it contains all nine essential amino acids plus a blend of electrolytes, with 30 serves per tub.
    • Intrawar 3.0 by Primabolics: an intra-workout powder that adds 2,000 mg of creatine HCl and 2,000 mg of L-citrulline malate to its amino acids and electrolytes in each 2-scoop serve, according to Primabolics.

    None of these is better for everyone. If you want a simple zero-sugar BCAA drink, XTEND does that job. If you want all nine essential amino acids in your bottle, look at an EAA formula.

    Where to buy XTEND Original in Melbourne and Australia

    You can buy XTEND Original online at Supps247 with Australia-wide delivery (see our shipping and returns page), or order online and pick up from one of the 11 Supps247 stores that offer click and collect. Supps247 has 18 stores, 17 in Victoria plus Richlands in Queensland, and the store locator shows your nearest one. In store, our staff can help you compare BCAA and EAA labels side by side.

    Supps247 also offers a price match guarantee. Conditions apply.

    XTEND BCAA review: our verdict

    XTEND Original is a well-made training drink, and that is the right way to judge it. It suits people who want something flavoured, zero-sugar and caffeine-free to sip through a session, with 7 g of BCAAs, 2,500 mg of L-glutamine and some sodium and potassium in every scoop. The trade-off is the muscle-building promise. The AIS rates BCAAs Group C, and research suggests BCAAs alone do not build muscle without the other essential amino acids. If you already eat enough protein and like the taste, it earns its spot in your bottle. If you want a more complete amino drink, an EAA formula such as Rapid Recovery fits better.

    FAQs

    Does XTEND Original have caffeine?

    No. The XTEND Original supplement facts panel lists no caffeine or other stimulants, so it works for evening training or for people who avoid caffeine. Other products in the XTEND range can differ, so check the label of the one you pick up.

    Do BCAAs work if I already eat enough protein?

    Probably not for muscle gain. The AIS places BCAAs in Group C, meaning the evidence does not support a benefit for athletes, and a 2017 review concluded BCAAs alone do not promote muscle building. Many people still use XTEND as a zero-sugar flavoured drink with electrolytes.

    When should I drink XTEND Original?

    The label suggests 1 serve during exercise and 1 serve after on training days, and 2 serves spread through the day on rest days. Mix each serve with about 300 to 415 ml of water.

    Is XTEND Original sugar free?

    Yes, the label lists 0 g of sugars and 0 to 5 Calories per scoop, depending on flavour. It is sweetened with sucralose and acesulfame potassium.

    Is XTEND Original good for beginners?

    It is easy to use and has no stimulants, so there is little to get wrong. If your main goal is building muscle, sort out your total daily protein first, since the AIS does not rate BCAAs as beneficial for athletes.

    Can women take XTEND Original?

    Yes. Nothing on the label is specific to men or women. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, check with your doctor or midwife first.

    Label details checked against the official XTEND product page on 19 October 2026. Formulas can change, so always read the label on the product you buy and follow the directions.

    Sources: XTEND, XTEND Original BCAA Powder product page; XTEND, Original Blue Raspberry Ice supplement facts label; XTEND, Original Watermelon Explosion supplement facts label; Australian Institute of Sport, Group C supplements; Wolfe (2017), Branched-chain amino acids and muscle protein synthesis in humans: myth or reality?, Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition; Rapid Supplements, Rapid Recovery EAA/BCAA; Legit Supplements, Legit Recovery Essential Amino Acids; Primabolics, Intrawar 3.0