- Taurine is a component of protein-rich products.
- For industrial production, it is extracted synthetically.
- Taurine is most commonly used in the production of energy drinks.
What is Taurine?
Taurine is a biogenic amino acid that occurs naturally in all animal tissues. Its chemical name is 2-aminoethanesulfonic acid. Taurine is a β-amino acid, which means that the amino and sulfone groups are separated by 2 carbon atoms. Due to its chemical structure, Taurine does not have the ability to form peptide bonds. Therefore, it is not a protein building block, which means it is a non-protein amino acid.
Its name is derived from the Latin word taurus, meaning bull or ox, because it was first isolated from the bile of an ox in the 19th century.
Taurine is found primarily in skeletal muscle, the heart, the brain, and the retina. However, there is not enough of it in the human body to meet the daily requirement naturally. For this reason, it must be supplied with food. Taurine is found in protein-rich products that are mainly of animal origin, such as oysters, turkey meat, poultry liver and Atlantic salmon. In plants it is found only in very small quantities, with the exception of lentil seeds and peas. Boiling or stewing degrades virtually all of the Taurine, while cooking techniques that do not involve surrounding the product with water like baking or frying retain some of the Taurine.
For industrial purposes Taurine is obtained synthetically by the ammonolysis of isethionic acid. It occurs as a colorless or white solid. Learn more about its properties and how Taurine is used. Keep reading to find more about this amazing product!
Taurine Powder – functions
Taurine is an essential compound for the body, as it has a great influence on the function of many important organs. These are some of its important functions:
- playing an important role in fat metabolism and digestion,
- taking part in the regeneration of tissues and muscles after intense physical training,
- supporting the development of the nervous system,
- improving memory and concentration,
- taking part in the regeneration of the retina,
- contributing to lowering sugar levels,
- having a detoxifying effect and strengthening the contractions of the heart muscle.
Because of its functions, Taurine is important for those who practice sports or those who want to lose weight. This amino acid increases the solubility of bile acids, improving their ability to emulsify fats in the digestive tract. Taurine also assists in the transport of creatine to muscles, resulting in more efficient use of creatine and accelerating muscle recovery after exercise.
Taurine also has an effect on the central nervous system. By increasing the metabolism of glial cells and indirectly of all neurons, it improves cognitive function and helps with learning and concentration. In addition, Taurine stimulates the pancreas to produce insulin, which directs excess glucose directly to the tissue, protecting against the development of diabetes.
Taurine deficiency can lead to kidney dysfunction, developmental disorders, damage to eye tissue, and even an increased risk of heart muscle failure. An excessive intake of taurine can lead to dehydration, diarrhea, or vomiting.
Taurine uses
As for its functions, Taurine is a very important amino acid for all people, especially for those who play sports. For this reason, Taurine is used in the pharmaceutical industry for the production of dietary supplements as well as supplements for athletes. Taurine is also used to cure eye diseases and can be used in some contact lens solutions.
One of the most common uses of Taurine is the production of energy drinks. Along with Caffeine, it is said to improve mental performance and energy. Taurine and Caffeine complement each other in their stimulating effects on our bodies and minds. However, Taurine alone has a calming effect on the nervous system and helps lower stress hormones. It can be used as a sleep aid – it improves the quality of sleep, calms the nerves and drives away the throbbing thoughts in our head that prevent us from falling asleep.
Due to the positive effects of Taurine on the development of the nervous system, it is added in small quantities to the modified milk of infants.
Taurine is also used in pet food, more specifically in food for cats. For these pets, Taurine is an exogenous amino acid and must be supplemented.
Taurine is found in cosmetics as well. It is an ingredient in hair regenerating cosmetics as it stimulates hair growth – hair not only grows back faster, but also becomes stronger and healthier and falls out less often. Taurine also helps to maintain the moisture of the skin.
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