Optimum Nutrition 2:1:1 Recovery Review – Rapid Recovery Ratios for Your Muscles!

Ever heard of a post-workout supplement which utilizes a specific ratio?

Please welcome Optimum Nutrition 2:1:1 Recovery into the fold.

The manufacturer puts a premium on the 2:1:1 ratio for the product’s carbohydrate, protein, and BCAA blends.

Sounds exciting? That’s just the tip of the iceberg, folks.

Another exciting review is in the offing.

About Optimum Nutrition 2:1:1 Recovery

Optimum Nutrition 2:1:1 Recovery “is based on the latest science demonstrating that blending different types of carbs and proteins maximizes absorption and leads to better results than the use of larger amounts of any single type,” per the manufacturer’s official website. Formula notes:

• 2:1 carbs-to-protein ratio . Seventy grams of carbs and 35 grams of protein per serving.
• Potent protein blend. Combination of hydrolyzed whey protein isolate, egg albumen, and micellar whey .
• Five grams of BCAAs per serving. Composed of two parts leucine, one part isoleucine, and one part valine.

The Rapid Replenishment & Recovery Formula

No doubt about if, folks: Optimum Nutrition is one of the most trusted – if note the most trusted brand – in the bodybuilding supplement industry.

Don’t believe us? Check out our Optimum Nutrition Micronized Creatine review.

If that doesn’t whet your appetite, nothing will.

For our part, we’re wondering if the company can sustain its momentum with its Optimum Nutrition 2:1:1 Recovery product.

Get amazing results with Optimum Nutrition 2:1:1 Recovery.

Why 2:1:1 to begin with?

Well, each blend features a 2:1:1 ratio of ingredients which are geared toward maximum recovery.

Fascinating, to say the least.

According to the manufacturer’s official website, this supplement “blends complementary ratios of carbohydrates with quality proteins to help optimize both aspects of exercise recovery.”

Carbs are important because they replenish depleted glycogen stores after a grueling workout at the gym.

Just so you know, glycogen is a form of carbohydrate which your muscles rely on as fuel for your workouts. You need a post-workout carb source to help improve your endurance.

That’s where Optimum Nutrition 2:1:1 Recovery’s carbohydrate blend comes in.

This blend is two parts waxy maize startch and glucose polymers, one part sucrose, and one part fructose. 

Waxy maize starch is the carb source which will help increase your endurance. 

To note, here are some of the benefits of waxy maize starch:

• Helps improve exercise performance
• Provides ample energy for your next training session
• Helps break down fat, which will be used as an extra energy source

You may also be wondering about Optimum Nutrition 2:1:1 Recovery’s glucose polymer component.

To simplify matters, these are extended chains of glucose. Not only do they help increase your endurance, they also help ward off free radicals, per Analytical and BioAnalytical Chemistry.

What could be more awesome than that, folks?

On the other hand, protein has always been the magic word for muscle growth and recovery.

Its amino acid content helps “support recovery from the breakdown of training,” per Optimum Nutrition’s website.

Who are we to argue with that, what with this product’s insane 35 grams or protein per serving?

Optimum Nutrition 2:1:1 Recovery has an impressive protein blend comprised of two parts fast-absorbing hydrolyzed whey protein isolate, one part slow-absorbing micellar casein, and one medium-absorbing part egg albumen.

We guarantee your muscles will recover and grow. Believe it.

Honestly, this product’s protein blend reminds us of BSN SYNTHA-6 and EVL Nutrition STACKED PROTEIN.

Having said that, we believe Optimum Nutrition 2:1:1 Recovery is the post-workout supplement with the most potent protein blend by far.

Seriously.

As if these weren’t enough, this supplement also has five grams of branch-chained amino acids (BCAAs) per serving. This blend is comprised of two parts leucine, one part isoleucine, and one part valine. 

It’s pretty obvious the company put a premium on leucine because it plays a major role in the muscle protein synthesis process. No leucine, no muscle growth. 

Let’s check out the formula ingredients:

• Total fat, 1 g: Optimum Nutrition 2:1:1 Recovery is low in fats at just two percent of the daily value. You can allude the fat content to its egg albumen and cocoa components – both of which are sources of good fats. Nice.
• Cholesterol, 10 mg: Not only is this product low in fats, it’s also low in cholesterol at three percent of the daily value. Far too many post-workout supplements go overboard on cholesterol. Not Optimum Nutrition 2:1:1 Recovery. It’s a change we’ll always welcome.
• Sodium, 340 mg: The first red flag of Optimum Nutrition 2:1:1. It’s high in sodium at 14 percent of the daily value. To put things in perspective, anything more than five percent of the daily value for a certain nutrient is considered excessive. If you’re monitoring your sodium intake, ask your doctor for advice before purchasing.
• Total carbohydrate, 70 g: Optimum Nutrition 2:1:1 Recovery has a high – very high – carb content at 70 grams per serving (although bear in mind one serving is equal to two rounded scoops). The carb content is composed of waxy maize starch, glucose polymers, fructose, and sucrose. Even though the two latter ingredients comprise just one part each of the carb blend’s 2:1:1 ratio, the product’s sugar content is also high at 36 grams per serving. If you’re monitoring your sugar intake, schedule an appointment with your doctor first before consuming.
• Protein, 35 g: Wow. Just wow. We’ve never seen a post-workout product with this much protein per serving. Do the math, folks: 70 grams of carbs to 35 grams of protein is the 2:1 carb to protein ratio the manufacturer is emphasizing. Did we also mention we like the components of the protein blend (hydrolyzed WPI, micellar casein, egg albumen)? This will feed your muscles for hours, folks.
• Vitamin A, 4% DV: This product is not a significant source of Vitamin A. Try getting yours from sweet potatoes, carrots, winter squashes, and dark leafy greens instead.
• Vitamin C, 0% DV: Okay, Optimum Nutrition 2:1:1 Recovery has zero Vitamin C content despite the fructose content. That’s a bit puzzling. In any case, drink your orange juice instead.
• Calcium, 30% DV: This is Optimum Nutrition 2:1:1 Recovery is a tremendous source of calcium at a whopping 30 percent of the daily value – it’s the biggest health bonus that comes with this product. Your bones, teeth, and blood pressure levels will improve significantly. Awesome.
• Iron, 8% DV: Another bonus – although not as big as the calcium content – is the iron component of Optimum Nutrition 2:1:1 Recovery. One of its vital post-workout benefits is the eradication of fatigue.

Formula Analysis

All we can say about Optimum Nutrition 2:1:1 Recovery is it is unique.

We’ve never come across a supplement company which believes in a 2:1:1 ratio for all of its post-workout product’s components.

Optimum Nutrition dared to be different, folks.

The gamble paid off. Two parts of waxy maize starch and glucose polymers, one part fructose and one part sucrose will help replenish your depleted glycogen stores and build some serious muscle mass. 

We’re talking about 70 grams of carbs per serving here. That much should help you in your post-recovery efforts.

Just know we’re not crazy about the 36 grams of sugar per serving. It’s like you’re chugging on a soda, for crying out loud. The manufacturer should have eased up.

Okay, so the carb content is flawed. However, we’re all praises for Optimum Nutrition 2:1:1’s protein blend.

Hey, you can’t go wrong with 35 grams of protein per serving. Two parts hydrolyzed whey protein isolate, one part micellar casein, and one part egg albumen ought to get the job done.

The different absorption rates will ensure nourishment for your muscles for up to seven hours or so.

That’s what you want – the longer you remain in an anabolic state after a hard workout, the better. Optimum Nutrition 2:1:1 Recovery’s protein blend will make sure of it.

We also love this product’s five grams of BCAAs per serving – it’s almost similar to Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% Whey’s 5.5 grams of BCAAs per scoop.

BCAAs play a major role in muscle protein synthesis, muscle repair, and endurance. Two parts of leucine for every one part of isoleucine and valine will help you grow some serious muscle mass.

Other pluses of Optimum Nutrition 2:1:1 Recovery: it is low in fats and cholesterol and is high in calcium. It is also a decent – but not great – source of iron to help ward off fatigue, an important post-exercise benefit.

We also like to give props to the manufacturer for good transparency – it discloses the amount of every ingredient. There are also no fillers and proprietary blends.

The takeaway: Optimum Nutrition 2:1:1 Recovery is a clean post-workout supplement. Awesome. 

Aside from the high sugar content, the other downside of this product is its high sodium content. You need the right amount of sodium (not more than five percent of the daily value) to prevent muscle cramping, but 14 percent of the daily value is too much, folks.

Optimum Nutrition 2:1:1 Recovery Benefits

Optimum Nutrition 2:1:1 Recovery has the following benefits, per its official website:

• 2:1 carb-to-protein ratio
• Potent carb blend for fast absorption
• Good solubility
• Combination of fast-, intermediate-, and sl0w-acting proteins for sustained amino acid delivery
• Five grams of branch-chained amino acids (BCAAs) per serving

We agree with all of these claims. We believe you will achieve your post-workout goals when you consume Optimum Nutrition 2:1:1 Recovery.

Who Takes It?

Optimum Nutrition 2:1:1 Recovery is intended for healthy and active individuals who want to boost recovery, increase endurance, increase muscle mass, and achieve their overall fitness goals.

Any Side Effects?

We’re happy to report Optimum Nutrition 2:1:1 Recovery has no glaring side effects. However, this product has high sodium and sugar contents. If you  are monitoring your intake of each ingredient, we advise you consult your physician before consuming.

Optimum Nutrition 2:1:1 Recovery Summary

Pros

• 2:1 ratio of carbs to protein. Helps replenish glycogen stores and increase muscle mass.
• Seventy grams of carbs per serving. Helps in the post-workout recovery process.
• Thirty-five grams of protein per serving. Trumps other whey protein supplements.
• Potent protein blend. Combination of WPI, egg albumen, and micellar casein.
• Five grams of BCAAs per serving. Two parts leucine, one part isoleucine, and one part valine.
• Good solubility. Mixes well compared to other post-workout supplements.
• Low in fats and cholesterol. Always a good thing.
• High in calcium. Thirty percent of the daily value.
• Good reputation. Hey, it’s Optimum Nutrition – consumers have given the product good reviews.
• Relatively cheap price. Currently on sale at $42.99 on product’s official website.

Cons

• High in sugars. Fructose and sucrose combine for a whopping 36 grams per serving.
• High in sodium. Fourteen percent of the daily value. Not good.

Pricing & Buying Info

• 1 3.7-lb. container (30-Day Supply): $42.99
• Available online and in retail