Taurine in Energy Drinks

It is the case with most popular substances. And when energy drinks like Red Bull started enjoying widespread popularity, their ingredients started coming under scrutiny. And the one ingredient which piqued a lot of people was this thing known as 'taurine'. It is apparently the active ingredient in energy drinks so the curiosity it inspires is quite natural. And with all the rumors flying around (the most ridiculous one which I've heard of being is that it is the 'semen' of the bull) it's essential to clarify what taurine actually is.

Uncovering The Truth

It's funny how rumors spread. Taurine... taurus... bull... bull's sperm? Quite a laughable connection. While this logic stays true only till 'bull', I'd like to dispel this crazy assumption, that taurine is the reproductive fluid of a bull!

Taurine is one of the non-essential amino acids found in nature. Technically speaking, it is an aminoethanesulfonic acid, which is a type of amino acid containing sulfur. While you find that there are several sources of taurine, the first substance to be isolated, researched and labeled 'taurine', was derived from the bile of an ox. And as the ox belongs to the bovine animal family (an ox is a castrated bull), the substance derived from its bile is necessarily 'taurine' substance, and hence aptly known as 'taurine'.

It's not very clear how taurine affects the energy levels in the body. There is no evidence which proves the direct relation between the consumption of taurine and increased levels of energy. For all you know, it might have just been what is known as the 'placebo effect'. It is said that after exercise, the taurine levels in the human body (yes, the human body contains taurine too) get drastically reduced. And consuming an energy drink would help replenish the taurine levels in the body. Is taurine similar to caffeine? Not quite. Unlike caffeine, taurine isn't a stimulant external to the body, but is very much something which already exists in the human body. But some studies suggest that if taurine and caffeine are mixed, it may result not only in better physical performance, but also improved mental alertness. This is why energy drinks do not include taurine alone but also a good amount of caffeine. So for all you know, it might just be the caffeine which stirs you up, not the taurine!

Energy Drinks Side Effects

There aren't many side-effects of consuming taurine in isolation, but it is always better to check with the doctor before consuming taurine supplements. Energy drinks are a different matter altogether because of the presence of caffeine. Hence all the ill-effects of caffeine will rub off on the energy drinks. There have been several reports of death after consuming energy drinks. People who drink too much of an energy drinks face caffeine-consumption problems like irritability and anxiety. Energy drinks are also diuretics, hence the chances of dehydration after consuming them. Due to the caffeine content, energy drinks are also not advised for pregnant and breastfeeding women. There are also reports that the products of a certain energy drink sold in Germany had traces of cocaine in it.

Taurine is a naturally derived substance which is also present in the human body, so its amount in energy drinks isn't so much that it will affect the body in any adverse way. But still, before you consume any taurine supplements, it is better to check with the doctor and your pharmacist for the quantity of taurine in the supplement and the recommended dosage.