Taurine is an amino acid which occurs naturally in our bodies. It supports neurological development and alertness, which is why you may have heard of Taurine due to its’ use in well-known brands of energy drinks!
Taurine is actually found naturally in meat such as beef and chicken, and also in fish such as salmon and mackerel - and can benefit your healthy lifestyle more than you think.
The Benefits Of Taurine
Our bodies are capable of synthesizing Taurine naturally, but due to the fact that many studies show Taurine improves performance athletically, it is becoming an increasingly popular choice of training supplement!
Here are just a few benefits of this supplement...
1) Fat Burning
A favorable benefit of Taurine is its ability to help the body metabolize fat stores, meaning that it could be beneficial to further consume Taurine in supplementation form for those looking to decrease body fat percentage whilst building lean muscle mass!
An interesting fact and benefit of adequate Taurine within our body is that it can actually prevent high-stress levels, something I’m sure we would all like less of!
If our diet is too low in Taurine, our bodies will respond over actively to stress, as Taurine can help calm the nervous system it can prevent the increased levels of adrenaline and cortisol commonly associated with both stress and anxiety.
2) Sports Performance
Taurine has become a supplement of choice by keen gym-goers and those participating in a variety of sports!
Research carried out actually shows that supplementing Taurine alongside BCAA’s reduced muscle soreness dramatically post-workout, another benefit of including it into your supplement stack.
Furthermore, one of the most common benefits of Taurine is that it increases alertness and brain function, which can improve concentration levels during sports and it has also been proven to enhance athletic performance!
3) Supporting Our Organs
As we touched upon earlier, Taurine can boost alertness within the body, which is a primary reason for its popularity in supplement form. It is also necessary for cardiovascular functioning, as well as supporting the conjugating of bile acids and antioxidation!
Research has also shown that Taurine protected against heart failure in animals. As mentioned previously, Taurine is naturally occurring within our bodies, although those with specific diets (vegan, etc.) may be at risk of a deficiency.
4) Side Effects Of Taurine
Generally speaking, as Taurine is a conditional amino acid, meaning it can be manufactured naturally by our bodies, means that side effects are minimal as it is a natural substance. It is important, however, not to overuse Taurine as a supplement.
Alongside a healthy diet, it is recommended to use between 1-2g in supplement form, which is adequate for the desired effects as mentioned previously.
Excess Taurine is excreted from the body by the kidneys, and there is little evidence from research conducted to show that an excessive intake of Taurine can cause any form of toxicity.
Take Home Message
In weighing up the pros and cons of Taurine in supplementation, it is clear that the benefits of this amino acid most definitely outweigh negative effects.
Increasing the body’s intake of Taurine can bring a multitude of benefits, including the health of our body as well as our athletic performance, regardless of the activity you participate in.
So whether you are a bodybuilder, cyclist, keen runner or general gym goer, it is definitely worth giving Taurine a go to give you that edge!
Our articles should be used for informational and educational purposes only and are not intended to be taken as medical advice. If you're concerned, consult a health professional before taking dietary supplements or introducing any major changes to your diet.
