Image by PIRO from Pixabay
The Ingredient Raising Concerns
Taurine is an amino acid found naturally in the body. It is also added to many energy drinks like Red Bull and Celsius. While taurine helps with energy and nerve function, new research shows it might have a hidden danger.
What the New Study Found
Scientists at the University of Rochester discovered that taurine may help myeloid leukemia cells grow faster. This type of blood cancer uses taurine to create energy through a process called glycolysis. As a result, cancer cells multiply more quickly in the bone marrow.
How Taurine Fuels Cancer Cells
Leukemia cells absorb taurine to boost glycolysis. This process breaks down sugar to produce energy. Consequently, cancer cells get more fuel to grow and spread.
What This Means for Energy Drink Fans
Energy drinks often contain large amounts of taurine. They are popular for their quick energy boost. However, this study warns that high taurine intake may be risky, especially for people with or at risk of leukemia. Experts suggest avoiding high-dose taurine supplements and call for more research on taurine levels in patients.
Potential Health Risks of Taurine Supplements
Although taurine has benefits, these new findings highlight potential dangers. Therefore, it is important to be cautious with taurine, especially in supplements and energy drinks.
Why We Should Be Careful
Taurine has also been used to ease chemotherapy side effects. Still, this new research suggests a fresh look at its use in cancer patients. Scientists propose that blocking taurine in leukemia cells might be a new way to slow cancer growth.
Looking Ahead: Future Research
Researchers are now studying how stopping taurine absorption can help fight leukemia. This may lead to better treatments in the future.
What You Can Do
If you drink energy drinks often, especially if you have health concerns, think about cutting back on taurine. It is a good idea to talk with your doctor about your taurine intake.
Want to discover more about how everyday substances affect your health? Check out our latest nutrition and wellness articles at DailySciTech.com.
Reference: “Taurine from tumour niche drives glycolysis to promote leukaemogenesis” by Sonali Sharma, Benjamin J. Rodems, Cameron D. Baker, Christina M. Kaszuba, Edgardo I. Franco, Bradley R. Smith, Takashi Ito, Kyle Swovick, Kevin Welle, Yi Zhang, Philip Rock, Francisco A. Chaves, Sina Ghaemmaghami, Laura M. Calvi, Archan Ganguly, W. Richard Burack, Michael W. Becker, Jane L. Liesveld, Paul S. Brookes, Joshua C. Munger, Craig T. Jordan, John M. Ashton and Jeevisha Bajaj, 14 May 2025, Nature.
DOI: 10.1038/s41586-025-09018-7
