Side Effects and Safety ConcernsAccording to the best available evidence, taurine has no negative side effects when used in the recommended amounts ( 11 ). While there have been no direct issues from taurine supplements, athlete deaths in Europe have been linked to energy drinks containing taurine and caffeine.
While it is true that taurine was originally isolated from bull semen, it is now produced synthetically. This compound is an “aminosulfonic acid” that is widely distributed in the human body and plays a role in cardiovascular function, development of the nervous system and formation of bile acids.
But the rumor surrounding the drink's effect on sperm is a myth. It's true that some researchers have found a connection between consuming high doses of caffeine and a change in sperm quality. A male who drinks one 12-ounce cup of coffee every day may experience higher sperm motility, which is sperm's ability to move.
Potential benefits and risks of taurine
- Promoting healthy metabolism.
- Protecting the eyes.
- Protecting the heart.
- Protecting the muscles.
- Protecting against brain aging.
- Protecting against neurological conditions.
- Improving exercise performance.
- Improving markers of diabetes.
Taurine, an amino acid important in several of the body's metabolic processes, is thought to have antioxidant properties. But little is known about the effects of long-term supplemental taurine use. Taurine is found naturally in meat, fish, dairy products and human milk, and it's also available as a dietary supplement.
Which major brands use taurine: Pretty much all of them ? notably Red Bull, Monster Energy, Rockstar Energy Drink and NOS Energy Drink. A handful of guarana berries, which many people have noted look a lot like eyes.
Taurine is a key ingredient in Red Bull, Monster, Rock Star, and other energy drinks. It's an organic molecule (not an amino acid) named for the Latin taurus, which means ox or bull because originally taurine was extracted from bull semen and ox bile.
What they do have is large amounts of caffeine and sugar. Drinking too much caffeine can raise your blood pressure and heart rate, and cause anxiety and insomnia. Drinking them over the long term can raise your risks for heart disease. Getting too much sugar can lead to weight gain, and put you at risk for diabetes.
Taurine has been shown to play a role in four different forms of kidney disease: glomerulonephritis, diabetic nephropathy, chronic renal failure, and acute kidney injury (AKI). Much of the work on the role of taurine in relation to kidney disease has been performed in animal models, especially murine species.
Taurine supports proliferation of neural progenitor cells and synapse formation in brain regions required for long-term memory (Shivaraj et al., 2012). Taurine stimulates action potentials in GABAergic neurons and specifically targets the GABAA receptor (Jia et al., 2008).
The drink had been banned in France for twelve years due to health authorities' concerns about unknown consequences of the ingredient taurine, a chemical forbidden in several countries.
Taurine has important functions in the heart and brain. It helps support nerve growth. It might also benefit people with heart failure by lowering blood pressure and calming the nervous system.
A spokeswoman said: 'Red Bull will continue to be sold in 100 countries worldwide. ' She added: 'No authority in the world has ever discovered or proven an unhealthy effect in or from Red Bull. ' Only France, Denmark and Norway have banned the drink.
Two other sleep inhibiting amino acids are Taurine and Tyrosine. They both increase alertness and elevate our heart rates, like caffeine does. Taurine is found in animal proteins and sulfur-rich vegetables, such as onions, garlic, cabbage, brussels sprouts, turnips and in most energy drinks.
As such, pregnant women, children, people with heart problems, and caffeine-sensitive individuals should avoid Red Bull entirely. Excess intake of energy drinks has been linked to heart attacks and sudden death in rare cases. More research is needed, but certain populations should avoid Red Bull entirely.
Organ meats are also a good source of taurine.
- Turkey (dark meat raw): 306 mg/100g.
- Turkey (dark meat roasted): 299.6mg/100g.
- Chicken liver (raw): 110mg/100g.
- Chicken (dark meat raw): 82.6mg/100g.
- Beef liver (raw): 68.8mg/100g.
- Beef heart (raw): 63.2mg/100g.
- Lamb (dark meat raw): 43.8mg/100g.
- Beef (raw): 43.1mg/100g.
Muscle soreness after exercise: 2 grams of taurine three times daily after meals before exercise and continued three days after exercise.
The highest amounts of taurine can be found in shellfish, especially scallops, mussels, and clams. High amounts of taurine can also be found in the dark meat of turkey and chicken, and turkey bologna.
Amino acids for dogs help in the same way as they do humans. Taurine aids in cardiac function, eye health, immune system function, and in multiple other systems. Taurine is especially concentrated in the heart muscle and contributes to it functioning properly. Basically, taurine rocks.
Abstract. Taurine is a natural amino acid present as free form in many mammalian tissues and in particular in skeletal muscle.
Although taurine has been shown to lower blood pressure (BP) in several hypertensive animal models, few rigorous and long-term clinical trials have confirmed this beneficial effect in human hypertension.
Energy drinks (eg, Red Bull, Rockstar, Monster) typically contain 1 g of taurine per 8 oz.
The ingredients include carbonated water, sucrose, glucose, citric acid, natural flavors, taurine, sodium citrate, color added, panax ginseng root extract, L-carnitine, L-tartarate, caffeine, sorbic acid, benzoic acid, niacinamide, sodium chloride, Glycine max glucuronolactone, inositol, guarana seed extract,
