L-Taurine has caught a lot of heat from the mainstream public. That’s because it’s a common ingredient in energy drinks and many people in the mainstream attack energy drinks as the ultimate evil. You’ll find that, quite often, taurine is the main target of the attack. Sadly, its attackers have no real understanding of what taurine is. In our Ingredient Spotlight: L-Taurine, we will find out exactly what it is and what it does.

L-Taurine - What It Is & What It Does

So, what is Taurine? First, it occurs naturally in the body and is found in our muscles, brain, heart, and eyes. Next, many people think it’s an amino acid, however, it’s not an amino acid in the technical sense. It’s a nonproteinogenic amino sulfonic acid. While it has an amino group, it also has sulfonic acid, but not a carboxyl group. In comparison, a proteinogenic amino acid, like leucine for example, contains both an amino group and a carboxyl group.^(1,2)

The Benefits Of L-Taurine

Taurine has a number of benefits including:

• Osmotic Properties
• Promotes Cell Volume
• Supports Hydration
• Enhances Recovery
• Improves Cognitive Function
• Supports Central Nervous System Function
• Supports Immune Health

As you can see, taurine benefits your efforts in the gym as well as your overall health.^(3,4,5,6)

The Osmotic Properties Of Taurine

While cognitive benefits are important to bodybuilders and athletes, the osmotic benefits are equally important. After all, that means taurine supports water-based pumps. An osmolyte promotes cell volume and the fluid balance of the body. As an osmolyte, taurine pulls water into the muscle cells.⁽⁴⁾

Of course, there are a lot of supplements that promote water-based pumps. This concept began with creatine monohydrate. Since then, there’s been a number of other versions of creatine that have hit the market. 5% Nutrition has you covered with both Core Creatine Monohydrate and Crea-TEN.

From there, other osmolytes include GlycerSize™ glycerol powder and betaine. Combine these with nitric oxide boosters, as 5% Nutrition has done with Full As F*ck, and you can experience insane pumps, plus improved nutrient and oxygen delivery to your muscles. 

Taurine And Cognitive Function

We know that taurine naturally occurs in the body, including the brain. Taurine binds to the brain’s GABA receptors thereby altering the actions of GABA. In this way, taurine enhances focus and improves cognitive function. Plus, taurine supports mental engagement. Finally, in 5% Nutrition pre-workouts, taurine works with caffeine to improve reaction time.^(8,9,10)

What Is The Accepted Dose Of L-Taurine?

The recommended daily dosage of taurine is up to 6,000 mg per day.⁽⁷⁾

The 5% Nutrition Products That Contain L-Taurine

Full As F*ck

Our powerful pump enhancer provides 2g of taurine. 

Kill It

Our exclusive NO/Endurance Blend contains taurine as the 3rd ingredient after citrulline and beta alanine.

Kill It Reloaded

There’s 2g taurine in this powerful pre-workout. Stacked with Full As F*ck, a common practice, you’ve got 4g taurine. 

Kill It RTD

5150 Pre-Workout & Stick Packs

Our stim-crazy pre-workout, 5150, also has a 2g dose. Available in powder and Stick Packs. 

All Day You May & Stick Packs, All Day You May Caffeinated

Taurine is the first ingredient in All Day You May’s potent Amino Acid Support Blend. 

Recap

The truth about taurine is that it is not some evil, unknown ingredient found in energy drinks. It’s a critical cell volumizer and cognitive enhancer - and it’s made naturally by the body. Of course, 5% Nutrition has known that all along and put in some of our most legendary products.

References:

1. https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-1024/taurine
2. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23170060/#:~:text=Taurine%20is%20an%20organic%20osmolyte%20involved%20in%20cell,retina%2C%20muscle%20tissue%2C%20and%20organs%20throughout%20the%20body.
3. Characteristics and Properties of Taurine (botanical-online.com)
4. What does osmolyte mean? (definitions.net)
5. Jong, C. J., Sandal, P., & Schaffer, S. W (2021). The Role of Taurine in Mitochondria Health: More Than Just an Antioxidant. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland), 26(16), 4913. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26164913
6. Taurine — Health benefits, dosage, safety, side-effects, and more | Supplements (examine.com)
7. Albrecht, J. and A. Schousboe, Taurine interaction with neurotransmitter receptors in the CNS: an update. Neurochem Res, 2005. 30(12): p. 1615-21.
8. Alford, C., H. Cox, and R. Wescott, The effects of red bull energy drink on human performance and mood. Amino Acids, 2001. 21(2): p. 139-50.
9. Seidl, R., et al., A taurine and caffeine-containing drink stimulates cognitive performance and well-being. Amino Acids, 2000. 19(3-4): p. 635-42.