Negative Facts of Taurine

Taurine can be found in many energy drinks and is often considered a natural ingredient because it can be found in the human body. It functions as an aid to bile in the stomach, and can be found in other parts of the body as well, like the brain and the intestines. It can even be found in breast milk. But is it really something that should be ingested on a regular basis? The following information should provide a little insight about the negative aspects of taurine.

Taurine Toxicity

• As with any dietary supplement, excessive use of taurine can cause levels to become toxic. Gastrointestinal issues are symptoms of taurine toxicity.

Energy Drinks

• Energy drinks often mix taurine with substances like caffeine. Reliable test results have yet to appear regarding the safety of mixing taurine with other ingredients, which sometimes causes concern in the health community (see Resources).

Long-Term Use

• Just like the aforementioned mixtures containing taurine, definitive results regarding long-term use have yet to surface. This can be disconcerting for some people.

Taurine Supplements

• Because taurine is touted for its many positive health benefits, there is reasonable demand for taurine in powder or pill form. As with any dietary supplement that comes as a powder or pill, it is important to make sure that you are ingesting only taurine. While taurine might be a great addition to your diet, unknown additives in pills and powders can be hazardous to your health.

Widespread Myth

• There is a myth circulating that taurine is made from certain parts of a bull. These are only urban legends, and taurine is not derived from any part of a bull.