Turns out energy drinks might actually be good for you

Yes, really

An energy drink ingredient has been linked to longer life. Image: Getty

Against all odds, it turns out energy drinks could be good for your health, after new research reveals they contact the 'elixir of life'.

Having long had a terrible reputation due to high levels of caffeine and processed sugar, it turns out energy drinks might actually support longer and healthier lives thanks to the inclusion of a superfood ingredient.

New research published by Columbia University has found that taurine, a nutrient produced by the body naturally and also present in many food and drinks, slows down the ageing process and can expand lifespans. 

“This study suggests that taurine could be an elixir of life within us that helps us live longer and healthier lives,” Dr Vijay Yadav, a professor of genetics and development at Columbia University, said following the discovery. 

A naturally occurring amino acid, taurine is a neurotransmitter that impacts brain function, emotions, the central nervous system, and hydration levels, and works similarly to other inhibitory neurotransmitters within the body, like serotonin and glycine, by blocking chemical messages between parts of the body. 

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In addition to being produced naturally within the body during exercise, taurine can also be found in beef, lamb, poultry, seafood, dairy, energy drinks and dietary supplements. 

While the tests were carried out on mice and worms, it’s believed that supplementary taurine could offer similar benefits to humans, with the research revealing the lifespan of female mice was increased on average by 12 per cent and males by 10 per cent, which equates to between seven and eight human years. Additional research also showed that a deficiency of taurine accelerated the ageing process. 

After studying taurine levels in the bloodstreams of mice, monkeys and humans, the Columbia University research team found rates of taurine reduce over time with age and that, on average, a 60-year-old’s taurine levels were a third of a five-year-old’s. 

Research also shows healthy taurine levels correlate with improved immune and nervous system health, healthy bone density and reduced rates of obesity.  

“Not only did we find that the animals lived longer, we also found that they’re living healthier lives,” Yadav said of the research. 

While the research is promising, controlled studies on humans will be required to confirm if taurine truly is, as Yadav says, the elixir of life. 

“The safe message we’ve known for a long time is that people who do more physical activity are more likely to have longer and healthier lives, and this new link with taurine makes sense as to one of the reasons why that is,” says Melanie McGrice, a dietician with Nutrition Plus.   

Salmon and other seafood have high levels of taurine. Image: Supplied

Before running out and stocking up on energy drinks, though, McGrice says it’s important to look at any addition to the diet holistically rather than with one targeted goal. 

“Things never happen in isolation in our bodies, so it’s about eating healthy foods as opposed to eating in a way that looks for just one nutrient or ingredient in particular,” she explains.  “Increasing fish and seafood in our diet, which are a really rich source of taurine, would be my recommendation.”  

In choosing the healthy options over the convenient, McGrice explains, “The big difference is going to be the other nutrients that your body is getting while consuming those foods. If you’re getting your taurine from fish, for example, you’re also going to be getting the benefits of protein, omega 3 and zinc. Whereas if you’re getting your taurine from energy drinks, then you’re going to be getting sugar or artificial sweeteners.”

Finally, she adds that in addition to healthy eating, exercise and good sleep will also help due to the positive impact they have both in releasing taurine and boosting the immune system.    

“It’s all about that domino cascading effect of one thing leading to another to the next.”  

Originally published as Turns out energy drinks might actually be good for you