Taurine: The Fountain of Youth in Your Glass?
A night out, or even day drinking, can sometimes include energy drinks being mixed with spirits as a cocktail. Non-alcoholic cocktails can also include energy drink options and with wellness in mind, people want to amp up their drinks while providing additional health benefits. That’s where Taurine comes in. Taurine is an amino acid that is naturally produced in the body, but it can also be found in certain foods and drinks.
Taurine is most commonly found in energy drinks (the most commonly recognized being Red Bull), but it is also found in some sports drinks, teas, and even dark chocolate. Taurine has become a bit of a darling on the wellness and supplement scene lately as it has been touted as a fountain of youth after a recent study showed that aging mice, worms and monkeys can live longer or healthier lives when fed large amounts of taurine. While more research is definitely needed, it’s caused higher demand for what’s long been a common ingredient in health supplements and energy drinks.
Taurine: A Multifaceted Marvel for Well-being
Improved heart health. Taurine can help to protect the heart by reducing blood pressure and improving heart function.
Reduced muscle fatigue. Taurine can help to reduce muscle fatigue by increasing oxygen uptake and improving muscle contraction.
Improved athletic performance. Taurine may help to improve athletic performance by increasing strength, power, and endurance.
Protection against oxidative stress. Taurine is an antioxidant, which means that it can help to protect the body from damage caused by free radicals.
Improved eye health. Taurine may help to protect the eyes from damage caused by light exposure.
Cognitive performance. In a study of cognitive performance, taurine was shown to improve reaction time, reverse the effects of caffeine withdrawal, and when coupled with glucose, enhance attention.
While taurine has a number of touted potential health benefits, it is important to note that more research is needed to confirm these benefits. Additionally, taurine can interact with certain medications, so it is important to talk to your doctor before taking taurine supplements or drinking excessive amounts of energy drinks or sports drinks.
Drinks With Taurine Boosts for Body and Mind
Energy drinks are the most common source of taurine (Red Bull and Monster are two well-known energy drinks with taurine). However, it is important to note that some energy drinks contain high levels of caffeine and sugar, so they should be consumed in moderation. Some sports drinks contain taurine, but the amount of taurine in sports drinks varies and - again - it’s important to know the amounts of sugar added to these drinks. Some teas, such as black tea and green tea, contain taurine. However, the amount of taurine in teas is also relatively low.
Celsius is clearly a standout leader on this list as it’s the most commonly recommended “healthy” energy drink. Celsius has made a huge impression on the energy-drinking community. Many reviewers claiming that Celsius has really good ingredients. Celsius claims to be calorie and sugar-free and contains a powerful combination of caffeine, taurine, and vitamins B6 and B12, which work together to give you sustained energy throughout the day. That being said, the combined stimulant load is high so no more than two in one day is recommended.
Rockstar Pure Zero is a zero sugar energy drink that comes in a wide variety of flavors. The drinks are fully-charged with B-vitamins and formulated with a blend of guarana, taurine, and caffeine to help keep you going and stay focused. These work as a pick-me-up but as with the others - the stimulant content is high so these are not meant to be consumed multiple times in one day.
With a variety of enticing flavors that one reviewer said reminds them of childhood popsicles, Ghost Energy calls itself the fully transparent energy drink. Unlike Celsius, Ghost Energy lists all of its ingredients on the can and provides a boost of energy without the crash. With popular flavors such as Sour Patch Kids, Warheads and Faze Pop, these cases often go out of stock quickly so be sure to get them when you can.
Impossible Energy Drink Mix Powder
Looking to just add a bit of energy to your non-alcoholic cocktails? Try the Impossible Energy Drink mix right into your favorite drink. Impossible Energy is designed to be a clean, healthy energy drink mix that gives you long, sustained energy with zero crash and zero added sugar. Mix a flavored drink mix powder right into your favorite seltzer for a quick pick me up.
If you are looking for a way to get the benefits of taurine without consuming energy drinks or other high-sugar drinks, you can try adding taurine supplements to your diet. However, it is important to talk to your doctor before taking taurine supplements.
Overall, taurine itself is a generally safe and beneficial amino acid that has a number of potential health benefits. However, more research is needed to confirm these benefits. If you are looking for drinks that contain taurine, there are many options available but keep in mind it is important to choose drinks that are low in sugar and caffeine.
