Taurine Research
48 peer-reviewed studies · Evidence score: 7.5/10
Effects of Nutritional Supplements on Endurance Performance and Subjective Perception in Athletes Exercising in the Heat: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis
Li J et al. • Nutrients (2025)
While individual supplements may offer limited benefits, synergistic combinations may yield greater improvements in performance and comfort.
- Standardized mean differences (SMDs) and posterior probabilities (P-scores based on Bayesian ranking) were calculated using random-effects and Bayesian models.
- Menthol (SMD = -1.83, 95% CI [-3.15, -0.51]; P-score = 71.04%) and taurine (SMD = 0.91, 95% CI [0.08, 1.73]; P-score = 12.75%) demonstrated significant positive effects on endurance.
- Menthol energy gel showed the greatest improvement in thermal comfort (SMD = 2.14, 95% CI [1.01, 3.26]; P-score = 99.54%).
Taurine reduces the risk for metabolic syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Tzang CC et al. • Nutrition & diabetes (2024)
Taurine supplementation exhibits positive effects on multiple MetS-related factors, making it a potential dietary addition for individuals at risk of or already experiencing MetS.
- Taurine supplementation exhibits positive effects on multiple MetS-related factors, making it a potential dietary addition for individuals at risk of or already experiencing MetS.
- Future research may explore dose-optimization strategies and potential long-term benefits of taurine for MetS management.
- Further research warranted to confirm findings
Biomarkers for Bile Acid Malabsorption in Diarrhea-predominant Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Liu T et al. • Journal of clinical gastroenterology (2023)
The results mainly concluded serum C4 and FGF19 levels in IBS-D patients.
- The pooled rate of BAM in IBS-D patients was 32% (according to SeHCAT; 95% CI: 24%-40%).
- The results mainly concluded serum C4 and FGF19 levels in IBS-D patients.
- Most of the studies have different normal cutoff points of serum C4 and FGF19 levels; the performance of each test should be further estimated.
Insights into the cardiovascular benefits of taurine: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Tzang CC et al. • Nutrition journal (2024)
Taurine showed noteworthy effects in preventing hypertension and enhancing cardiac function.
- In subgroup analysis, taurine significantly improved HR in heart failure patients and healthy individuals.
- Taurine showed noteworthy effects in preventing hypertension and enhancing cardiac function.
- Individuals prone to CVDs may find it advantageous to include taurine in their daily regimen.
Drug treatment for myotonia
Spillane J et al. • The Cochrane database of systematic reviews (2025)
More-recent trials are more robust, and well-conducted RCTs demonstrate moderate-certainty evidence for the efficacy of symptomatic treatments in non-dystrophic myotonias.
- Mexiletine likely reduces hand grip relaxation time compared to placebo (mean difference (MD) 1.37 seconds better, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.87 to 1.86; 2 RCTs, 56 participants; moderate-certainty evidence).
- There may be no difference in quality of life measures between mexiletine and placebo (36-item Short Form (SF-36) Physical Component Summary (PCS): MD -1.40, 95% CI -5.56 to 2.76; SF-36 Mental Component Summary (MCS): MD -1.10, 95% CI -6.17 to 3.97; 1 RCT, 38 participants; low-certainty evidence).
- Non-dystrophic myotonia Mexiletine Mexiletine likely reduces myotonia compared to placebo using the Interactive Voice Response Diary Stiffness score (across both treatment periods: MD -3.12, 95% CI -3.75 to -2.49; 2 cross-over RCTs, 89 participants; moderate-certainty evidence).
Effects of taurine supplementation on cognitive function: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials
Cao Q et al. • International journal of food sciences and nutrition (2025)
Overall, the findings of the present meta-analysis do not provide sufficient evidence to support the efficacy of taurine supplementation in enhancing cognitive function.
- A total of 7 RCTs with 9 intervention trials involving 402 individuals were included.
- Taurine, administered alone or in combination with exercise training, did not exhibit significant effects in cognitive scores.
- Overall, the findings of the present meta-analysis do not provide sufficient evidence to support the efficacy of taurine supplementation in enhancing cognitive function.
Acute effects of caffeine-containing energy drinks on physical performance: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Souza DB et al. • European journal of nutrition (2017)
ED ingestion improved performance in muscle strength and endurance, endurance exercise tests, jumping and sport-specific actions.
- Using a random-effects model, effect sizes (ES) were calculated as the standardized mean difference.
- ED ingestion improved performance in muscle strength and endurance, endurance exercise tests, jumping and sport-specific actions.
- However, the improvement in performance was associated with taurine dosage.
Prognostic and clinicopathological role of long non-coding RNA taurine upregulated 1 in various human malignancies: A systemic review and meta-analysis
Wang X et al. • Tumour biology : the journal of the International Society for Oncodevelopmental Biology and Medicine (2017)
In summary, upregulated taurine upregulated 1 is correlated with more advanced clinicopathological characteristics and poor prognosis, suggesting that taurine upregulated 1 may serve as a novel predictive biomarker of patients with numerous tumors.
- The meta-analysis suggested overexpression of taurine upregulated 1 was significantly correlated with unfavorable overall survival in patients with cancer (pooled hazard ratio = 1.63, 95% confidence interval: 1.29-2.06).
- A total of 12/14 studies with 1303/1228 individuals were included to evaluate the association of taurine upregulated 1 with overall survival and clinicopathological features by pooled hazard ratio and odds ratio in malignancies.
- In summary, upregulated taurine upregulated 1 is correlated with more advanced clinicopathological characteristics and poor prognosis, suggesting that taurine upregulated 1 may serve as a novel predictive biomarker of patients with numerous tumors.
Efficacy of taurine-enhanced enteral nutrition in improving the outcomes of critically ill patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Zhang C et al. • Clinical nutrition ESPEN (2024)
However, taurine-enhanced EN had no significant impact on high-sensitivity-C-reactive protein levels (MD = -0.41, p = 0.40, 95% CI [-1.35, 0.54], two trials, 60 participants, low quality).
- The meta-analysis results indicated that taurine-enhanced EN did not reduce mortality (RR = 0.70, p = 0.45, 95% CI [0.28, 1.80], two trials, 176 participants, low quality).
- However, taurine-enhanced EN had no significant impact on high-sensitivity-C-reactive protein levels (MD = -0.41, p = 0.40, 95% CI [-1.35, 0.54], two trials, 60 participants, low quality).
- Further research warranted to confirm findings
Metabolomics in acromegaly: a systematic review
Pînzariu O et al. • Journal of investigative medicine : the official publication of the American Federation for Clinical Research (2023)
Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization coupled with MS imaging confirmed the functional nature of GH-secreting PAs and accurately discriminated PAs from healthy pituitary tissue.
- MRS detected low hepatic lipid content in active acromegaly, which increased after disease control.
- The panel of metabolites of acromegaly deciphered by mass spectrometry (MS)-based techniques mainly included amino acids (especially branched-chain amino acids and taurine), glyceric acid, and lipids.
- The most altered pathways in acromegaly were the metabolism of glucose (particularly the downregulation of the pentose phosphate pathway), linoleic acid, sphingolipids, glycerophospholipids, arginine/proline, and taurine/hypotaurine.
Caffeine and taurine: a systematic review and network meta-analysis of their individual and combined effects on physical capacity, cognitive function, and physiological markers
Deng H et al. • Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition (2025)
CAF+TAU co-supplementation provides a balanced ergogenic effect, combining the central stimulation of CAF with the neuromodulatory and metabolic support of TAU, particularly beneficial for high-intensity, reaction-based tasks.
- Posterior estimates indicated that CAF+TAU was associated with a credible positive effect on anaerobic capacity (g = 0.46, 95% CrI [0.19, 0.71]) and reaction time (g = 0.75, 95% CrI [0.29, 1.18]) compared to CAF or TAU alone.
- CAF showed the greatest posterior reduction in RPE (g = -0.64, 95% CrI [-1.20, -0.10]), while its posterior mean estimate suggested a potential increase in B[la] (g = 0.24, 95% CrI [-0.48, 0.96]).
- In contrast, TAU showed a possible tendency toward reducing B[la] (g = -0.30, 95% CrI [-1.01, 0.42]).
Does One Shot Work? The Acute Impact of a Single Taurine Dose on Exercise Performance: A Meta-Analytic Review
Deng H et al. • Scandinavian journal of medicine & science in sports (2025)
Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
- A three-level random-effects meta-analysis indicated that acute taurine ingestion may be associated with small-to-moderate improvements in overall performance (g = 0.25, 95% CI [0.10, 0.39], I2 = 61%).
- The overall certainty of evidence, assessed using GRADE, was rated low to very low due to heterogeneity, imprecision, and risk of bias.
- Collectively, these findings suggest that acute single-dose taurine supplementation holds promise as an ergogenic aid, but its effectiveness likely varies depending on dosage, blinding procedures, and exercise context.
An integrated meta-analysis of peripheral blood metabolites and biological functions in major depressive disorder
Pu J et al. • Molecular psychiatry (2021)
This meta-analysis examined the effects of Acetyl-L-Carnitine.
- Pathway and network analyses revealed altered amino acid metabolism and lipid metabolism, especially for the tryptophan-kynurenine pathway and fatty acid metabolism, in the peripheral system of MDD patients.
- Our findings may facilitate biomarker development and the elucidation of the molecular mechanisms that underly MDD.© 2020.
- Further research warranted to confirm findings
Effect of Long-Term Taurine Supplementation on the Lipid and Glycaemic Profile in Adults with Overweight or Obesity: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Sun Q et al. • Nutrients (2024)
Long-term taurine supplementation is particularly effective in improving glycemic control and insulin sensitivity in obesity.
- In the subgroup analysis, long-term taurine intake led to BMI improvement in overweight adults (WMD = -1.14 kg/m2, 95% CI: -1.81 to -0.47, p = 0.0008, I2 = 0%).
- Meanwhile, improvements in HbA1c (WMD = -0.33%, 95% CI: -0.53 to -0.12, p = 0.002, I2 = 16%) and HOMA-IR (WMD = -0.91, 95% CI: -1.74 to -0.08, p = 0.003, I2 = 54%) were observed only in obese participants following taurine supplementation.
- Additionally, the long-term intake of 3 g of taurine significantly improved HbA1c (WMD = -0.37%, 95% CI: -0.61 to -0.13, p = 0.003, I2 = 0%) and FPG levels (WMD = -7.14 mg/dL, 95% CI: -12.53 to -1.74, p = 0.003, I2 = 70%) in overweight/obesity.
Distinct Metabolites in Osteopenia and Osteoporosis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Wang Y et al. • Nutrients (2023)
These results indicate that distinct metabolites were associated with ON and OP, which could be considered a predictor for OP.
- The results of the meta-analysis show that gly-gly (MD = -0.77, 95%CI -1.43 to -0.11, p = 0.02) and cystine (MD = -5.52, 95%CI -7.35 to -3.68, p < 0.00001) decreased in the OP group compared with the healthy control group.
- Moreover, LPC (MD = 1.48, 95%CI 0.11 to 2.86, p = 0.03) increased in the OP group compared with the healthy control group.
- These results indicate that distinct metabolites were associated with ON and OP, which could be considered a predictor for OP.
Taurine: A Source and Application for the Relief of Visual Fatigue
Duan H et al. • Nutrients (2023)
The physiological mechanisms underlying the production of visual fatigue are summarized and the research progress of taurine in relieving visual fatigue is reviewed, including the safety of consumption and the mechanism of action in relieving visual fatigue, in order to provide some reference basis and inspiration for the development and application of taurine in functional foods for relieving visual fatigue.
- According to reports, supplementation with appropriate doses of taurine may help to reduce visual fatigue.
- Presently, some progress has been made in research related to taurine in eye health, but the lack of systematic summaries has led to the neglect of its application in the relief of visual fatigue.
- This paper, therefore, provides a systematic review of the sources of taurine, including the endogenous metabolic and exogenous dietary pathways, as well as a detailed review of the distribution and production of exogenous taurine.
Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis: Taurine and Its Association With Colorectal Carcinoma
Sinha A et al. • Cancer medicine (2024)
In conclusion, these findings highlight the potential of using taurine as well as other bile acid metabolites (lithocholic and ursodeoxycholic acid) to diagnose CRC and illustrate the link with microbiome interactions.
- In conclusion, these findings highlight the potential of using taurine as well as other bile acid metabolites (lithocholic and ursodeoxycholic acid) to diagnose CRC and illustrate the link with microbiome interactions.
- Overall increased taurine concentration are associated with significantly increased odds for CRC.
- There was mostly an increase in relative expression of taurine in CRC samples, excluding results from Wang et al.
Taurine and blood pressure
Sun Q et al. • Hypertension (2016)
Taurine supplementation reduces blood pressure in prehypertensive individuals.
- Significant blood pressure reduction
- Improves vascular function
- Well tolerated
Taurine and exercise performance
Waldron M et al. • Sports Medicine (2018)
Taurine may improve endurance exercise performance through multiple mechanisms.
- May improve endurance performance
- Supports muscle function
- Reduces oxidative stress
Ergogenic Aids to Improve Physical Performance in Female Athletes: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis
López-Torres O et al. • Nutrients (2022)
More studies are needed in female athletes that measure the effects of different EAs on sports performance, such as beetroot juice, beta-alanine or sodium phosphate, as the studies to date are scarce and there are many types of EA that need to be further considered in this population, such as creatine and taurine.
- A random-effects model and the standardized mean differences (SMD) ± 95% confidence intervals (CI) were reported.
- Aerobic tests could be improved with the use of taurine, caffeine, and beta-alanine.
- No conclusive effects of beetroot juice, polyphenols, or creatine in improving aerobic performance were shown.