What Is Taurine?

Taurine is an amino sulfonic acid found in animal tissue and was first found in ox bile. It's commonly found in meat, fish, and human breast milk, and according to the Mayo Clinic, it supports neurological development, helps regulate our blood's water and mineral levels, and may have antioxidant properties. Taurine is also often used as an ingredient in energy drinks due to study results that suggest it improves athletic performance. The Mayo Clinic reports that up to 3,000 milligrams of taurine as a daily dietary supplement is considered safe, but that little is known about long-term taurine use effects.

According to WebMD, taurine may be a factor in aiding congestive heart failure (CHF) because it seems to calm the sympathetic nervous system and lower blood pressure. It may also help with liver disease.