Benefits of taurine
Taurine – positive effects on the body.
There are many beneficial effects of taurine and there is some scientific evidence to support these effects.
Results from animal studies on the effects of taurine suggest taurine:
- helps maintain muscles [1]
- helps to remove fatty deposits in the liver [2]
- reduces cirrhosis, a chronic disease of the liver
Results from human studies suggest that taurine can also lower blood pressure [3].
Taurine can cross the brain/blood barrier. Other studies suggest taurine helps osmotic shock recovery [9] and can prevent epileptic seizures [10].
Taurine is an antioxidant.
A further benefit of taurine is that it acts an as antioxidant. Antioxidants help protect damage to cells from free radicals.
Free radicals are molecules with unpaired electrons. Free radicals are highly reactive and can cause cellular damage. Whilst exercise brings overall health benefits to a person it, it can cause oxidative stress as free radicals are formed post exercise.
There is evidence that taurine reduces the degree of post exercise oxidative stress [12].
As an antioxidant, taurine can also protect the body against substances such as lead.
Benefits of Taurine – The Cardiovascular System
The cardiovascular system refers to the transport system which moves oxygen rich blood and it's nutrients around the body. The cardiovascular system also moves waste to the kidneys for excretion and carbon dioxide to the lungs for exhalation. The heart, blood and blood vessels make up the cardiovascular system.
Taurine seems to benefit the cardiovascular system by lowering blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
Studies have shown that taurine can reduce apolipoproteins and lipids in cells. These are risk factors for both coronary heart disease and atherosclerosis [13].
Taurine can also benefit people with congestive heart failure by increasing the efficiency and force of heart contractions.
Taurine Helps Skeletal Muscles Function
Studies show taurine helps the skeletal muscles to function. Depletion of taurine within the body can lead to a significant reduction in exercise capacity [14].
Taurine May Help Boost Energy
Energy drinks such as Red Bull contain high levels of taurine along with other substances. The manufactures often infer that taurine gives the user more energy.
However to date there is no conclusive and unbiased evidence to suggest that taurine alone can increase energy and performance.
As many high energy drinks contain caffeine, it may be the caffeine or the combination of caffeine, taurine and/or any other ingredients which give the energy boosting qualities.
If increased energy is derived from taurine then the absorption may be faster if it is in a drink than in food [6].