We often see one ingredient in the ingredient list of sports drinks: taurine. Taurine was first isolated from ox bile and is also known as β-aminoethyl sulfonic acid, taurine choline, or bovine bile. It is a sulfur-containing non-proteinogenic amino acid that exists in a free state in the body and does not participate in the biosynthesis of proteins.
Although taurine does not participate in protein synthesis, it undergoes chemical reactions with glycine and gamma-aminobutyric acid, serving as a neurotransmitter inhibitor for tissues and blood. In the human body, taurine primarily originates from two sources:
1. Endogenous synthesis, the other from dietary intake. Adults generally do not need to specifically increase taurine intake in their diet, as long as liver function is normal, they can synthesize it themselves.
2. Food supply: Infants and young children, especially premature babies, have an underdeveloped enzymatic synthesis system and lack the ability to produce taurine themselves. Therefore, the taurine required by the body must be obtained through dietary intake.
What are the physiological functions of taurine?
Taurine has the effect of enhancing myocardial contraction
Taurine has the effects of inhibiting platelet aggregation, enhancing myocardial contractility, and lowering blood pressure in the bloodstream. It is also used to treat heart diseases and provides significant benefits for patients with congestive heart failure. Clinically, it is regarded as an effective medication for managing cardiovascular conditions.
Taurine plays a role in promoting the brain development of infants
Taurine is abundantly present in the brain and significantly promotes the growth and development of the nervous system, as well as cell proliferation. Insufficient intake in newborns can lead to delayed growth and development in infants. Taurine is particularly rich in breast milk, especially colostrum, and is also found in infant formula. Taurine plays a crucial role in the central nervous system development and retinal development of fetuses and infants.
3. Taurine has the effects of combating anxiety and enhancing learning abilities
Taurine is a regulator of the human nervous system and is beneficial for individuals with bipolar disorder. It also enhances learning and memory abilities, improves the accuracy of learning and memory, and helps prevent the aging of the nervous system.
4. Taurine has the effect of improving visual function
The ability of cats and owls to hunt at night is closely related to their vision. The primary source of taurine for both cats and owls comes from mice, which are rich in taurine. Taurine helps maintain normal visual function, protects eyesight, enhances vision, and supports the proper functioning of eye cell membranes.
5. Taurine has the effect of promoting fat metabolism
Taurine combines with bile acids to form taurocholic acid, which can increase the solubility of lipids and cholesterol in the digestive tract, help promote fat metabolism and absorption, relieve bile obstruction, reduce the cytotoxicity of certain free bile acids, inhibit the formation of cholesterol stones, and increase bile flow.
6. Taurine has the effect of promoting blood sugar reduction
Taurine can bind to insulin receptors, promote cellular uptake and utilization of glucose, accelerate glycolysis, and reduce blood glucose concentration. Taurine has a certain hypoglycemic effect and does not rely on increasing insulin release.
7. Taurine has the effect of inhibiting the occurrence of cataracts
Taurine plays an important role in regulating crystal osmotic pressure and antioxidation. During the development of cataracts, the content of malic acid in the lens increases, leading to an increase in crystal osmotic pressure. However, the concentration of taurine, an important substance for regulating osmotic pressure, decreases significantly, weakening its antioxidant effect. Proteins in the lens undergo excessive oxidation, which can cause or worsen the occurrence of cataracts. Supplementing taurine can inhibit the occurrence and development of cataracts.
8. Taurine has the effect of generating energy and eliminating fatigue
Taurine can protect the myocardium, maintain cardiac function, promote normal blood circulation, eliminate fatigue products, and enable the body to effectively produce energy. So it is often added to sports drinks and energy drinks.
(Content sourced from the internet)