If you’re someone who regularly grabs a can of Red Bull or Celsius for a quick energy fix, you might want to pause for a moment.
Scientists have uncovered new research that suggests an ingredient commonly found in these drinks could be doing more than just giving you a jolt—it might be feeding cancer cells, particularly those linked to leukemia.
What’s the Deal With Taurine?
The focus of this study is taurine, an amino acid that occurs naturally in our bodies.
It helps regulate calcium in nerve cells, controls inflammation, and supports overall cellular function.
You’ll find taurine in meat, fish, and—yes—energy drinks.
It’s often added to beverages to help with mental clarity and boost energy.
But here’s where it gets complicated: while taurine plays a useful role in many normal body processes, consuming it in excess might come with risks—especially if you’re dealing with certain health conditions like blood cancer.
How Taurine Could Be Fueling Blood Cancer
Researchers at the University of Rochester have made a surprising discovery: leukemia cells might actually use taurine as a fuel source.
During their study, they observed that taurine helps leukemia cells grow and multiply, making the disease potentially more aggressive.
In their lab experiments, which involved mice and samples of human leukemia cells, they identified a gene called SLC6A6.
This gene is responsible for transporting taurine through the body.
They found that leukemia cells were receiving taurine from the bone marrow—the very place where this cancer starts.
Once inside the cells, taurine contributed to a process known as glycolysis, which breaks down glucose and gives cells the energy they need to multiply rapidly.
Why This Matters So Much
This is the first time scientists have found such a strong connection between taurine and leukemia cell activity.
And it could explain why this type of cancer can be so persistent and aggressive.
In the U.S. alone, around 67,000 people are diagnosed with leukemia each year, and 23,000 are expected to die from it.
The numbers are also troubling in the UK, with about 10,000 cases and 5,000 deaths annually.
Understanding how leukemia cells feed and grow is a crucial step in developing better treatments—and now taurine is on researchers’ radar.
Could Taurine Also Be Linked to Other Cancers?
While this research focused on leukemia, scientists are also curious about taurine’s potential role in other cancers—especially colon cancer, which has been rising at alarming rates among younger adults.
A clinical trial at the University of Florida is exploring this further.
Researchers are currently recruiting volunteers between 18 and 40 years old.
Half the participants are asked to drink energy drinks like Red Bull or Celsius daily.
The scientists will then compare the gut bacteria of this group with a control group that avoids energy drinks.
The main question: does taurine encourage the growth of certain bacteria that could lead to colon inflammation and potentially cancer?
Should Cancer Patients Avoid Taurine?
Ironically, taurine supplements are sometimes recommended to cancer patients to help reduce inflammation and ease chemotherapy side effects.
But this new research raises important questions about whether that’s truly safe, especially for those battling leukemia.
Dr. Jeevisha Bajaj, the study’s lead researcher from the Wilmot Cancer Institute, believes it’s time to rethink that approach.
She emphasizes that future studies should dive deeper into how taurine levels impact leukemia patients.
Her team is particularly interested in finding ways to block taurine from entering leukemia cells, which could slow down the cancer’s progress.
Is Taurine Safe for Everyone?
For most people, taurine in small amounts is generally considered safe.
However, when consumed in large doses—especially through supplements or multiple energy drinks per day—it can lead to unpleasant side effects like nausea, stomach upset, dizziness, and even diarrhea or constipation.
As scientists continue to explore taurine’s broader impact on health, especially its potential links to cancer, it may be wise to monitor your intake—particularly if you have a personal or family history of cancer.
So, What’s Next?
This study, published in Nature, opens up new paths for cancer research and treatment development.
While the research is still in its early stages, it’s already offering critical insights into how cancer cells grow—and how we might stop them.
The next big steps include conducting more human-based studies, exploring taurine’s role in other forms of cancer, and figuring out safe ways to block taurine in patients who may be vulnerable.
For now, experts are urging caution, especially when it comes to downing energy drinks like they’re water.
So the next time you reach for that can of Red Bull, you might want to ask yourself—what else is it really energizing?