Taurine: An “amino acid” from bull testicles?

Taurine is a component of many energy drinks and fitness drinks. Here you can find out how the amino acid works and what risks and side effects it brings with it.

Taurine is a substance that occurs naturally in our body. You can also find artificial taurine as an ingredient in energy drinks and fitness products. For example, companies advertise that the substance can promote concentration and accelerate muscle building.

What is Taurine?

Even though taurine is often referred to as an amino acid, from a scientific perspective it is actually not one. The substance is simply a breakdown product of the amino acids methionine and cysteine ​​and is therefore called aminosulfonic acid.

Taurine can be produced by the human organism itself and, NetDoktor informs, is found in particularly high concentrations in the brain, blood, muscle cells and eyes.

However, we also get aminosulfonic acid by eating animal foods. Offal, meat, fish and dairy products in particular contain high amounts of taurine.

Taurine can also be produced artificially. You can find it in this form especially in energy drinks and dietary supplements.

This is how taurine works

Taurine is involved in many important processes in the body and, as NetDoktor lists, is essential for:

• the stability of cell membranes
• the function of the central nervous system
• fat metabolism
• a regular heartbeat
• the function of our eyes

Taurine also has an antioxidant effect, meaning it neutralizes free radicals and protects us from oxidative stress.

Myths about taurine

Since taurine is used in many energy drinks, manufacturers like to advertise the invigorating effects of aminosulfonic acid. Taurine is said to increase concentration and increase performance. However, this supposed effect has not been scientifically proven.

There is a myth circulating among athletes that taurine supports muscle building and prevents excessive physical strain. This effect has not been scientifically proven either. The Federal Institute for Risk Assessment actually takes a critical view of the consumption of energy drinks during heavy physical exertion. However, this myth is still a popular marketing strategy for selling fitness snacks and drinks.

Another misconception is that taurine is obtained from the testicles of bulls. On the one hand, this is due to the name of the substance: “Taurine” comes from the Greek word “tauros”, which means bull. However, this is because the substance was first detected in ox bile in 1827. Nevertheless, this myth persists.

Side effects of taurine

The scientific situation is currently very vague regarding the possible side effects of a too high dose of taurine. However, NetDoktor also writes, it is assumed that a daily dose of up to 1000 milligrams per kilogram of body weight is harmless.

Although dietary supplements with taurine often do not pose a health risk, they are generally unnecessary. Since the body produces the substance itself, a healthy person does not need to take additional taurine.