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A little-known ingredient in energy drinks came to light this week after scientists theorized it could partly explain a rise in colon cancer in young people.
Taurine is an amino acid used in Red Bull to energize cells and improve mental clarity.
However, Florida scientists hypothesize that this ingredient could “feed” harmful bacteria that have been “overrepresented” in the intestines of people with colorectal cancer.
It’s still just a theory and based on preliminary studies in animals and laboratories, so experts say there’s no reason to panic just yet.
But taurine is also found in Monster, Celsius, and some Starbucks coffee drinks. So is this a reason to eliminate energy drinks completely?
The graph above shows the increase in colorectal cancer in young Americans from 1999 to 2020.
The findings come as one in three adults aged 18 to 29 report consuming energy drinks regularly.
The US energy drink market is valued at about $23 billion, driven largely by sales of Red Bull, Monster and Celsius.
The potential problem with taurine is mainly related to the amount a person consumes.
In small quantities it is considered safe. However, high levels have been shown to cause vomiting, upset stomach, dizziness, tiredness, diarrhea and constipation.
Researchers at the University of Florida are embarking on a trial called ROSANNA to test their hypothesis about the harms of the substance.
Presenting the trial at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) conference in Chicago this week, the team said they believe taurine is the “primary energy source” for a bacteria thought to fuel colon cancer. .
The team is recruiting young Americans to consume Red Bull or Celsius energy drinks every day to test this hypothesis.
Researchers expect a 20 to 30 percent increase in bacteria, called H2S sulfide-metabolizing bacteria, when participants drink a Red Bull or Celsius every day.
However, this prediction is based on a small number of animal studies.
Research published by the NIH states that 500 to 3,000 milligrams of taurine per day is safe (0.5 to 3 grams), although the European Food Safety Authority suggests that 6,000 milligrams (6 grams) is safe.
According to the Mayo Clinic, excessive amounts could cause vomiting, nausea, headache, and stomach pain.
In some cases, the amino acid has been shown to stop the growth and spread of tumors by up to 44 percent.
In others, it has been shown to prevent protective T cells from fighting cancer, allowing the disease to become more aggressive.
While the amino acid is not actually used to make proteins in the body, as other amino acids are, it has a variety of functions, including regulating the amount of calcium in nerve cells and controlling inflammation, among others. things.
Below are five of the most popular drinks containing taurine.
Red Bull
Red Bull is hailed as the world’s most popular energy drink, selling 12.1 billion cans last year alone.
One of the two drinks studied by the ROSANNA trial researchers, an 8.4-ounce can, contains 1,000 milligrams of taurine and 80 milligrams of caffeine, about the same as an eight-ounce cup of black coffee.
The regular variety contains 27 grams of natural sugar, although sugar-free varieties are also available.
The brand claims that a can, which costs about $2.50, also contains vitamins B6 and B12, which help red blood cells transport oxygen throughout the body and maintain nerve cells in the brain, among other functions.
One can contains one-third of the recommended daily limit of taurine.
Celsius
Celsius has grown in popularity in recent years, with revenue increasing from $75 million in 2019 to $1.3 billion in 2023. Research firm Circana found that it is now the third most popular energy drink in the United States.
The brand’s Sparkling Peach Vibes flavor is the other drink being tested in the ROSANNA trial.
Like Red Bull, Celsius contains 1,000 milligrams of taurine, although the can is a little larger at 12 ounces.
Celsius contains no sugar and only 10 calories. However, one can contains 200 milligrams of caffeine, the equivalent of two cups of coffee and half the FDA’s recommended daily limit of 400 milligrams.
Monster
Like Red Bull and Celsius, one can of Monster contains 1,000 milligrams of taurine.
However, this can is larger, 16 ounces.
Each can also contains 160 milligrams of caffeine, or about the same amount as one and a half cups of coffee.
In addition to having 230 calories, Monster has one of the highest amounts of added sugar at 54 grams.
This adds up to more than one McDonald’s Oreo McFlurry or five Krispy Kreme donuts.
The drink has been the subject of multiple lawsuits, including one involving the death of a 14-year-old girl who drank two cans of the drink.
Main power
While taurine is on PRIME Energy’s ingredient list, the brand does not reveal how much is in each can.
PRIME was launched in 2022 by internet personalities Logan Paul and KSI and, despite quickly achieving success, has been the subject of controversy.
Last year, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer asked the FDA to investigate PRIME for being marketed to children despite a “surprising level of caffeine.”
Each 12-ounce can contains 200 milligrams of caffeine, although it also contains only 10 calories and is sugar-free.
5 hour power
This energy shot is the smallest on the list, but it contains a large amount of taurine and caffeine.
Each 1.93-ounce drink contains approximately 480 milligrams of taurine, nearly half as much as drinks more than four times its size.
It also has 230 milligrams of caffeine, more than the larger sizes of Red Bull, Celsius, Monster, and PRIME.
The ingredients label also claims that the shot has more than 20,000 percent of the daily value for vitamin B12.
Although rare, an overdose of vitamin B12 has been shown to cause headaches, dizziness, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and weakness.
Rock star
A 16-ounce can of Rockstar Energy contains 2,000 milligrams of taurine, twice as much as other popular brands like Red Bull and Monster.
Each can also contains 270 calories and 63 grams of added sugar, almost the amount of a small Dairy Queen Blizzard.
The drink also claims to contain vitamins B2, B6 and B12.
In a 2015 study by Mayo ClinicVolunteers who drank Rockstar on an empty stomach in five minutes or less saw their blood pressure rise nearly seven percent.
Additionally, their heart rate increased by an average of 3.1 additional beats.
Starbucks Double Shot Energy
Starbucks Double Shot Energy coffee drink contains coffee and 1,800 milligrams of taurine per 15-ounce can.
The drink also claims to be more energizing than coffee and contains 225 milligrams of caffeine.
This is almost three times the amount of a normal cup of coffee.
Each can also has 12 grams of added sugar, about the same amount as a Kripy Kreme donut.
The ingredients label also lists 20 percent of the recommended daily value for potassium, which is key for hearing function, muscle contraction, and blood pressure control.