Taurine in energy drinks may fuel blood cancer growth, new research reveals

A recent study conducted by Wilmot Cancer Institute investigators at the University of Rochester in New York has linked taurine, a common ingredient in some foods and drinks, to an increased risk of blood cancers. Taurine is a non-essential amino acid that is naturally found in the bone marrow, brain, heart, and muscles. It is also present in foods such as meats, fish, and eggs, as well as in some energy drinks and protein powders.

The researchers discovered that taurine promotes the growth of leukemia cells by fueling a process called glycolysis, which breaks down glucose to produce energy. This finding is particularly concerning for certain types of blood cancers that arise from blood stem cells in the bone marrow, including acute myeloid leukemia (AML), chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), and myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS).

According to Dr. Jeevisha Bajaj, an assistant professor in the Department of Biomedical Genetics at the University of Rochester, blocking the cancer cells’ ability to take in taurine may improve outcomes for leukemia patients. The researchers also plan to study how myelodysplastic syndromes can lead to acute leukemia in the future.

While the study was conducted on mice with leukemia, the researchers hope to study taurine levels in humans with acute myeloid leukemia in the future. They recommend that patients with leukemia consult their healthcare providers before adding any supplements or foods rich in taurine to their diet.

Dr. Marc Siegel, a clinical professor of medicine at NYU Langone Health and Fox News senior medical analyst, noted that high-powered energy drinks containing excessive amounts of taurine could potentially fuel leukemia cells. However, there is no evidence that these drinks cause the conversion of regular bone marrow cells into leukemia cells.

Overall, the researchers suggest that additional supplementation of taurine, especially from energy drinks, may be unnecessary. Dr. Hooman Melamed, a board-certified orthopedic spine surgeon and sports medicine expert, advises against consuming energy drinks with synthetic additives or excessive ingredients, as they may not be beneficial for the body.

In conclusion, the study highlights the importance of understanding the link between diet and cancer, and further research is needed to determine the exact process for blocking taurine in leukemia cells. The study was primarily funded by the National Institutes of Health and other organizations, and the findings were published in the journal Nature.