The Truth About Taurine in Energy Drinks

Taurine in energy drinks seems to be a very common ingredient these days.

A lot of claims have been made with regards to the health benefits provided by taurine in energy drinks that it has become such a common advertising propaganda. There is actually little to no relevant data on the benefits which this macronutrient is purported to offer and the public at large remains uninformed.

The guide provided below will give pointers regarding the not-so-well known uses and supposed effects of taurine in energy drinks.

• An organic acid commonly found in animals, taurine is also produced in large quantities by the human body. Of all the amino acids produced by the body, taurine is the most abundantly produced, as it is a vital amino acid. Taurine possesses many functions in the human body, such as the facilitation of calcium absorption, the conjugation of bile acids, and it also possess antioxidant capacities. The effects of taurine on the human body as a whole include the minute improvement in eyesight, to the much more important role it plays in skeletal and cardiovascular health.
• But the daily consumption of taurine in energy drinks is not really needed since people can absorb it through natural sources like seafood and meat. In fact, one study conducted by the European Commission reported that people consume as much as 40 to 400 milligrams of taurine in a day through food alone. However, taurine intake is almost at nil level among vegetarians.
• Most taurine in energy drinks range from 1000mg to 2000mg. While the highest amount of taurine which the body can take is around 3000mg, the rest of it is just removed by the kidneys. Potential side-effects and other dangers of taurine are still being studied by experts to this day. So far, only studies among animal subjects were made regarding the efficacy of taurine in preventing cirrhosis or liver disease in animals.
• Taurine in energy drinks is said to boost energy levels despite the lack of any supporting data. Although consuming taurine in large doses may still be safe, other components of energy drinks like caffeine, sugar ,or even herbs may lead to adverse health risks.
• Studies have reported that some animals require taurine supplementation to be healthy. But since this nutrient is already abundant in the body (unless you are a vegetarian), there is no need for extra supplementation.

It is extremely important for consumers to know the real score behind including taurine in energy drinks. Because of much marketing hype about supplements that promise benefits but deliver nothing, many people have been spending a lot of money on food sources that they can normally derive from their regular meals.