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Arnaud Cocaul (Medical nutritionist)
Often consumed by bodybuilders, energy drinks contain a particular amino acid, taurine. An element considered by some scientists as anti-aging, at least in animals. Explanations.
An amino acid found in energy drinks popular with bodybuilders, taurine has anti-aging properties, at least in animals, according to a study published in the journal Science.
Study the impact of taurine on several species
Considered a non-essential amino acid, taurine is present in our brains, retinas, and almost all of our muscle and organ tissues. Studies have shown that it can be anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective in older brains, but potentially harmful to the developing adolescent brain. Taurine deficiencies are linked to heart, kidney and retinal damage.
This work, which began ten years ago, involves more than fifty scientists from all over the world. Their objective: to study the impact of taurine on several species: yeasts, worms, mice and monkeys.
Improved health in mice, worms and monkeys
Results: Middle-aged female mice fed high levels of taurine lived 12% longer on average than mice that weren’t given taurine, while male mice lived about 10% longer, according to Vijay Yadav, assistant professor of genetics and development at Columbia University in New York and lead author of the study.
The taurine-fed worms lived longer and appeared healthier, but the taurine “had no effect on the yeast,” he explained.
Finally, tests on monkeys revealed that those who took taurine supplements were leaner, had better blood sugar and less liver damage, had increased bone density, younger-looking immune systems, and took less weight, according to the study.
“These multi-species studies show that taurine abundance declines with age, and reversing this decline allows animals to live longer, healthier lives.“ says Professor Yadav.
No recommendation to take taurine yet
“Over the past 25 years, scientists have been trying to find factors that not only allow us to live longer, but also increase lifespan, the amount of time we stay healthy in our old age.” he adds. “This study suggests that taurine could be an ‘elixir of life'”.
However, the scientist does not recommend buying commercially. For him, it takeswait for human clinical trials to be completed. Benefits versus risk factors will depend on the age of the population studied” he says again.
A point of view shared by Dr Arnaud Cocaul, nutritionist.
“The results of this work show interesting leads concerning taurine. It is an amino acid common to all species, which is why it has been studied in these different species. On the other hand, from the worm to the man there are great differences, the conclusions advanced by the researchers are not directly applicable in the man “ recalls the specialist, who therefore advises against the overconsumption of energy drinks containing taurine.