Designed to boost alertness, some energy drinks are now being linked to an increased risk of blood cancer, according to a recent study published in Nature.
Researchers at the University of Rochester’s Wilmot Cancer Institute have linked a widely used amino acid in energy drinks, namely taurine, to blood cancer.
But what actually is taurine and is it as dangerous as researchers say?
What is taurine?
Taurine is an amino acid, naturally produced in the human body and often found in meat and fish.
It is added to energy drinks as it improves alertness and reduces inflammation in the body. It has even been used to alleviate the impact of chemotherapy in leukaemia patients.
It works as it is an inhibitory neurotransmitter, so blocks chemical messages to other parts of your body, and is also a neuromodulator, which means it can impact brain function and emotions.
Dr Sandra Kaufmann of The Kaufmann Protocol explains, the name taurine “derives from the fact taurine was originally isolated from oxen, Bos Taurus, in 1827”.
It is now thankfully made in laboratories before being added into energy drinks.
What products contain taurine?
Energy drinks such as Red Bull, Monster, and Rockstar contain the ingredient. More recently, it’s been added into protein shakes and supplements.
Taurine is also naturally present in some of the foods we eat. For example, shellfish, dark meat of chickens and turkeys, and red goji fruit are also naturally high in taurine, says Dr Kaufmann.
What is Taurine's effect on the body?
- Taurine has important function in the heart and the brain – its supports nerve growth and can benefit people with heart failure by lowering blood pressure and calming the nervous system
- Taurine has been used as a treatment for congestive heart failure and swelling of the liver (hepatitis)
- It has been used to manage obesity, athletic performance, and fatigue, but there is not enough scientific evidence to support these claims
- It combines with bile acids in the liver to facilitate intestinal absorption of dietary lipids
- It acts as a major antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic factor
But can taurine cause cancer?
The recent study has suggested that excessive intake of taurine could exacerbate the risk of leukaemia by providing extra fuel for cancer cells.
This is because leukaemia cells absorb taurine, which develops in bone barrow, using it to grow through a process called glycolysis. Glycolysis is the process where cells break down glucose to produce energy.
This is not the same as causing cancer.
In the study, mice with the SLC6A6 gene, a gene which moves taurine around the body, were given human leukaemia cells. The study discovered that healthy bone marrow cells produced taurine, which was then moved to the leukaemia cells, and in turn potentially helping them to grow.
Researchers are hopeful that blocking taurine in leukemia cells could lead to new treatments. The study is part of a larger attempt to investigate taurine’s impact on other types of cancer.
However, Dr Kauffman adds that in the example of chemotherapy, taurine can actually help to mitigate unwanted side effects such as muscle loss.
Is it safe to drink energy drinks?
Before you retire your Red Bull, Professor Dr. Tijion Esho, a medical doctor, skin health expert, and founder of CULTSKIN, said: “There is currently no solid scientific evidence that directly links taurine itself to blood cancer in humans. Taurine is a naturally occurring amino acid found in the body and in foods like meat and fish it actually plays a role in heart health, brain function, and cell hydration.
“Some animal studies have shown conflicting effects, but these are not directly translatable to human cancer risk. Most concerns arise not from taurine, but from the combination of high caffeine, sugar, and synthetic additives in many energy drinks.”
Dr Steven Davidowitz, a cosmetic dentist and the founder of Luxury Dentistry NYC, added, “What is clear is that excessive intake of ultra-processed, stimulant heavy drinks has been associated with a wide range of health risks, from disrupted sleep and anxiety to heart palpitations and blood pressure swings.”
As with all things, moderation is key. Very occasional consumption of energy drinks is unlikely to cause harm, but daily or excessive intake may come with risks that go far beyond taurine, said Bailyn Fields, registered nurse and health educator at Boomer Benefits.
