How Does Taurine Affect Your Body?

Question by diesel: how does taurine affect your body?
im pretty much addicted to red bull… a couple of years ago i used to drink even 2 per day… (cuz in the can it says it is the maximum amount recommended) now im drinking about 3-4 a week. i dont just drink it cuz of the energy or whatever… i really really like the taste… i have mixed it with vodka a few times when i go to a club or a bar. i would easily change coke or juice for red bull in a regular meal if possible…then, someone told me taurine screws you up badly. i’ve been drinking it for about 4 years now and i havent noticed anything wrong.

Best answer:

Answer by Thin Kaboudit
“Taurine”, which is actually 2-aminoethanesulfonic acid, or C2H7NO3S, is a compound found naturally in many sea animals. Unless you are a cat, there is no need to take taurine deliberately.

The reason you are addicted to Red Bull is not the taurine, it’s the caffeine. Caffeine is highly addictive, and you will feel lousy if you cut it out completely after such high intake for so long. If you look at the structure of the caffeine molecule, it is very similar to cocaine, another highly addictive stimulant.

“drinking it for about 4 years” and not noticing anything wrong is a rather poor way to gauge the health effects, don’t you think?

People can smoke cigarettes for years before developing cancer, but only a fool would doubt the connection.

It’s not good to develop a reliance on any chemical.

Answer by science teacher
Taurine is an non essential amino acid. Your body needs it but can make it from another amino acid, cysteine. It got its name from the fact that it was first isolated from bull bile. Amino acids are used to make your proteins. It is not an energy boost that you are getting from it, it is caffeine. Do you drink coffee and Coke also? Cutting back can give you headaches, but it is better to do so. It can raise your blood pressure.

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