Evidence that taurine alone boosts mental performance and mood is pretty much nonexistent - one small study showed some positive results, but taurine was only assessed in combination with caffeine and glucuronolactone. But there’s little scientific evidence to show that it actually jump-starts the brain.Ī couple of studies in animal models have suggested that taurine has anxiety-reducing effects, which could point to an effect on the brain, but that hasn’t been demonstrated in humans yet. It’s thought that supplementing the body with additional taurine - we already do it every time we consume meat or fish - could add extra fuel to these ongoing processes, providing an overall energy boost. It’s involved in supporting the brain’s development, modulating the contractions of the heart, balancing the levels of water and minerals in the blood, and oiling the central nervous system so it runs smoothly, among other qualities. You can’t blame skeptical fans for making that connection: taurine is an integral part of a chemical concoction that promises to steel you for the day ahead - and is there anything steelier than bull balls? Turns out the answer is, well, yeah the human body naturally produces taurine because it’s necessary for so many physiological processes. Red Bull’s creators have asserted that the taurine in its drinks is completely synthetic. Conspiracy-minded ‘Bull heads have debated whether the taurine in their afternoon pick-me-up is derived, specifically, from bull testicles (in wilder circles, the speculation extends to bull semen and urine), a rumor that probably stemmed from a misunderstanding of what its original source fluid, bile, actually is - the moss-hued slime produced by the gall bladder, anatomical miles away from bull genitalia. Known in scientific circles as 2-aminoethanesulfonic acid, the compound was named after the Latin taurus, for bull, after German scientists isolated it from ox bile in 1827. Sure, taurine can have that effect, but it achieves it through much less direct means.įirst, a bit about taurine itself. Its effects aren’t as straightforward or as well-documented as its energy-boosting partner in crime, which straight-up jacks into the central nervous system to curb drowsiness. Here’s the thing about taurine: It’s not caffeine. Since then, it’s enjoyed a pretty solid reputation as a pick-me-up, but the truth is, there’s no conclusive evidence that it boosts mental or physical performance. It eventually made its way stateside in cans of Monster and tiny vials of 5-Hour Energy. The chemical’s been riding a wave of hot PR since Lipovitan D, the first real energy drink, hit Bangkok in the 1970s. It’s the natural acid swirling around your evening can of Red Bull, hooking up with other chemicals to “give you wings” and potentially stimulate your hypothalamus. Added sugar might provide unwanted added calories.Let’s talk about taurine. Too much caffeine can increase your heart rate and blood pressure, interrupt your sleep, and cause anxiety. Keep in mind that there might be high amounts of other ingredients in energy drinks, such as herbal stimulants, caffeine or sugar. However, further research is needed and this finding remains controversial, as does the use of taurine in energy drinks. Other studies suggest that taurine combined with caffeine improves mental performance. And, in one study, people with congestive heart failure who took taurine supplements three times a day for two weeks showed improvement in their exercise capacity. While research is mixed, some studies suggest that taurine supplementation might improve athletic performance. Taurine is found naturally in meat, fish, dairy products and human milk, and it’s also available as a dietary supplement. But little is known about the effects of long-term supplemental taurine use. Taurine is thought to have antioxidant properties. Taurine, which has chemistry similar to other amino acids, is important in several of the body’s metabolic processes.
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