Taurine: Elixir of life or just hype?

At HOP, we spend a lot of our time looking at nutritional ingredients to see which ones deserve to jump into future HOP Boxes (see what we did there?).

And, like you, we’ve been seeing tons of buzz lately about the amino acid taurine.

A study published in Science in June 2023 sparked conversations around taurine and its potential role in delaying aging and extending lifespan since it was able to extend lifespan by 10% in mice.

But is taurine the real deal or just another fleeting trend? Let’s dive in!

Taurine: The spotlight ingredient

Taurine is abundant in our bodies and is known for its antioxidant properties and role in maintaining cell volume and other physiological functions. It’s essential for neural and skeletomuscular development, and its deficiency is linked to various health impairments.

Of mice (monkeys) and men

The Science study showed a significant decline in taurine levels with age in mice, monkeys, and humans. Taurine supplementation in mice and monkeys led to increased lifespan, reduced body weight, enhanced bone strength, and improved mental health, among other benefits.

However, the relevance of these findings to humans remains a question due to differences in taurine biology across species. For example, humans will not absorb and keep “extra” taurine – you urinate it out if your body thinks you have enough. And, guess what? Most people have enough without supplementing.

Humans at risk for low taurine levels include those with kidney or heart disease, obesity, and strict vegans.

Taurine sources & supplementation

Taurine is primarily obtained from dietary intake, especially from seafood and meat. Oh, and (for better or worse) energy drinks are notorious for their taurine content!

The bottom line

While taurine may be a potential elixir of life for mice, its benefits for humans, especially in terms of aging, are still under speculation. It seems beneficial for those with taurine deficiency due to specific conditions, but whether it can combat age-related declines in taurine levels is still up in the air!

Do you have an ingredient you’d like us to investigate for possible inclusion in future HOP Boxes? Send us an email, and we’ll check it out! The HOP Super Sleuths are always on the prowl, ready to solve the next great ingredient mystery!