New Delhi: Energy drinks are a go-to for all those trying to hit the gym and sometimes also for working professionals trying to get through a long day of excessive work and less sleep. Although the excessive sugar and caffeine content of these drinks take most of the blame, there is another ingredient that does a great deal of damage. It is taurine – and lurking in energy drinks and supplements, studies say that it can silently spike the risk of suffering a stroke or a heart attack. Earlier, it was famed for its benefits for health and longevity. But the current research has put the same under the radar for being a fake claim of sorts.
How does taurine affect heart health?
According to new research published in the Journal of Exploratory Research in Pharmacology, taurine, which is an amino acid, can spike the risk of heart problems in the long run. Researchers at institutes in Nanjing, China, evaluated the effects of the amino acid on atherosclerosis risk – which is a build-up of cholesterol and fat that narrows the arteries and restricts the smooth flow of blood. This condition can over time spike stroke and heart attack risk.
Taurine is a dietary supplement used for a long to manage heart disease and diabetes. However, the study sheds light on the contrary and suggests that taurine can make hypertension worse. Clinically, it is advised to get 1.6 g/day for 12 weeks and that can lower blood pressure in hypertension patients. However, when mixed with caffeine, it can cause a spike in BP instead.
Doctors say that when hypertension is combined with atherosclerosis, it can lead to severe damage in the long run. It can contribute to the formation of atherosclerotic plaques. Researchers examined samples of 145 people who had health problems or some form of coronary heart disease. It was also found that patients experiencing heart attacks had higher levels of taurine in their blood in comparison to those with stable cardiovascular conditions.
Researchers also noted that high taurine levels in heart attack patients might result in a cardiac response that may trigger a deadly event. This suggests that eating taurine supplements can reduce the stability of the plaques and size as well. Researchers also suggest that their findings do not say that people should steer clear of the component completely. However, caution is advised.
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