May 28, 2025 — A new study published in the journal Nature suggests that taurine, a common ingredient in energy drinks, may contribute to the growth of certain cancer cells — but only in individuals who already have cancer.
Researchers emphasized that the study does not show that energy drinks cause cancer. Instead, the findings highlight how taurine may help fuel the growth of leukemia cells, a type of cancer that affects the blood and bone marrow.
What the Study Found
Scientists at the Wilmot Cancer Institute at the University of Rochester, led by Dr. Jeevisha Bajaj, investigated how leukemia cells survive and multiply. They discovered that bone-forming cells in the body naturally produce taurine. When researchers blocked taurine from entering leukemia cells in both human samples and mouse models, the progression of the disease slowed.
Dr. Bajaj explained that leukemia cells use taurine to trigger metabolic changes, including glucose breakdown, which gives the cells energy to grow and divide.
Dr. Wael Harb, a hematologist and oncologist at MemorialCare Cancer Institute in California, added, “Cancer cells can hijack taurine to fuel their rapid growth.”
What Is Taurine?
Taurine is an amino acid that occurs naturally in the human body. It plays a role in regulating blood pressure, supporting heart health, and maintaining vascular function. It’s also a common additive in energy drinks like Red Bull, Monster, and Rockstar.
While taurine may offer health benefits, the study raises concerns about its role in cancer cell metabolism under certain conditions.
Should You Stop Drinking Energy Drinks?
Experts say healthy individuals do not need to stop consuming energy drinks based on this research. “We do not have any evidence that taurine or any other ingredient in energy drinks can increase the risk of leukemia in healthy people,” Dr. Bajaj said.
However, people with leukemia or other cancers should speak with their doctors about taurine intake. “It may be best to limit or avoid energy drinks if you have cancer, but more research is needed,” Dr. Harb noted.
The study offers important insights into how cancer cells use nutrients to grow, and researchers are calling for more investigation into how dietary components like taurine may influence cancer progression.
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