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Ingredients in Focus is Food Dive’s bite-sized column highlighting exciting developments in the ingredients sector.
Taurine is a common ingredient found in energy drinks, and scientists have now discovered that taurine may have positive effects on heart health.
This naturally occurring ingredient in protein-containing foods such as meat and fish helps the body produce more energy.
Taurine is not actually used by the body to make proteins like other amino acids, but it does play a role in the central nervous system. nervous system — This is where it regulates the amount of calcium in nerve cells and regulates inflammation.
Recent research found that taurine supplementation may reduce The prevalence of atherosclerotic plaques in rats suggests its potential as a heart health enhancer in humans.
Atherosclerosis is common in patients who eat a high-cholesterol diet and occurs when sticky plaque builds up in the arteries.
Brands like Red Bull, Monster, Rockstar, and other popular energy drinks currently use taurine in their products. However, the consumer perception of these products is that they are neither healthy nor beneficial for heart health.
A study at the Chinese University of Pharmacy found that this ingredient has the ability to regulate lipid levels, and researchers decided to investigate the impact of the functional ingredient in more detail.
Scientists conducted two studies. One involved human patients with varying degrees of atherosclerosis, and the other involved mice eating a high-fat diet.
One study in humans included measuring taurine levels in the blood to highlight the link between taurine levels and the severity of atherosclerosis, while a second study looked at the effects of taurine on atherosclerotic plaque formation in rats over a 4-year period. The impact of supplementation was assessed. Day period.
Animals that consumed taurine looked much healthier and younger. Your muscles, brain, immune system, and other organs functioned better. The lifespan of mice also increased significantly.
According to the researchers, more research needs to be done to determine whether the supplements actually have significant effects on human health.
