Doctors warn popular drink may increase risk of blood cancer

An ingredient in a popular drink sold at supermarkets may elevate the risk of blood cancers, a new study has revealed.

A new study has revealed that a “common” ingredient found in a string of popular energy drinks could elevate the risk of blood cancers.

US researchers have found that taurine, an amino acid often added to energy drinks such as Red Bull and Celsius, can act as a fuel source for leukaemia cancer cells, which develop in bone marrow.

The study authors have since warned consumers to exercise caution when consuming drinks containing the metabolism boosting ingredient, which are sold at supermarkets around the world.

“Since taurine is a common ingredient in energy drinks... our work suggests that it may be of interest to carefully consider the [risks and] benefits of supplemental taurine in leukaemia patients,” the study, published in Nature, claims.

New study on energy drinks reveals that taurine may elevate the risk of blood cancers. Picture: News.com.au

While the body naturally produces taurine, it has been used to alleviate chemotherapy side effects in leukaemia patients.

But researchers at the University of Rochester in New York believe that additional intake might actually worsen the blood cancer.

They said that their study highlights the need to carefully evaluate the risks and benefits of extra taurine for leukaemia patients as well as the risk to those who drink energy drinks, given how readily available the product is.

Although the study is still in its initial phases, the researchers are optimistic that targeting taurine production in leukaemia cells could represent a new approach for treating these aggressive diseases.

Their experiments on mice and human leukaemia cells showed that blocking taurine from entering cells could slow disease progression.

The study is part of broader research that is looking into taurine’s potential role in fuelling other cancers, such as colorectal cancer.

The research is still early, but it’s promising. Picture: iStock

According to Mayo Clinic, taurine occurs naturally in foods with protein, such as meat or fish.

It is often used in energy drinks as it can help with digestion, maintain proper hydration and electrolyte balances and support the general function of your central nervous system.

The new study investigated mice with the SLC6A6 gene, which is responsible for taurine transportation throughout the body.

Researchers also transplanted samples of human leukaemia cells into these mice.

They found that a specific group of healthy bone marrow cells produces taurine, the environment where leukaemia develops.

Cancer cells can feed on taurine, which gives them the energy to divide and multiply. Picture. iStock

The SLC6A6 gene then carries this taurine from the bone marrow to the leukaemia cells.

As the cancer cells feed on taurine, they go through a process called glycolysis, which is where cells break down glucose to make energy.

This process gives cancer cells the energy to divide and multiply, which is why it can make leukaemia more aggressive, as it makes more cancer cells form.

According to Cancer Australia, 5202 new cases of leukaemia were diagnosed in Australia in 2022.

Approximately 2121 people died from the disease in the same year.

Currently, 135,000 people are living with blood cancer or a related blood disorder in Australia today.

Originally published as Doctors warn popular drink may increase risk of blood cancer