Energy Drink Ingredient Associated with Increased Blood Cancer Risk, New Study Reveals

A new study has raised concerns about taurine, a common ingredient found in many foods and beverages, linking it to an increased risk of blood cancers. Researchers at the Wilmot Cancer Institute, University of Rochester, discovered that taurine might promote the growth of leukemia cells, marking a significant development in understanding how certain cancers can progress. Taurine is a non-essential amino acid naturally produced by the human body and present in tissues such as the brain, heart, muscles, and bone marrow. In addition to its natural occurrence, taurine is plentiful in meats, fish, eggs, and is widely added to energy drinks and protein powders. According to Dr. Jeevisha Bajaj, an assistant professor at the University of Rochester and senior author of the study, “The key takeaway from this study is that taurine can be used by leukemia cells to promote cancer progression.” She explained that blocking the uptake of taurine by these cancer cells could pave the way for novel treatment strategies for leukemia.

• Leukemia progression: The researchers found that taurine triggers cancer growth in certain leukemia cells by boosting glycolysis, a process where glucose is broken down to supply energy.
• Cancer types affected: The effect was particularly pronounced in cancers originating from blood stem cells in the bone marrow, like acute myeloid leukemia (AML), chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), and myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS).

The findings, published in the journal Nature, were somewhat unexpected. While examining the bone marrow for ways to improve blood cancer treatments, the team observed that the bone marrow microenvironment itself produces taurine, offering a new perspective on how these cancers originate and expand. Dr. Bajaj emphasized, “Our finding that taurine can be produced by the bone marrow microenvironment was completely unexpected and therefore surprising. No one had shown this before, and it added critical information to studies of the bone marrow microenvironment, where blood cancers arise and expand.” Despite the promising insight, the researchers acknowledged some limitations to their work. While high taurine levels were detected in the bone marrow of mice with leukemia, they have not yet tested taurine concentrations in human patients. Further studies are needed to determine if the same mechanism occurs in humans with leukemia. As a precaution, the scientists recommend that leukemia patients consult their healthcare providers before increasing their intake of taurine-rich foods or supplements. They also highlighted the use of taurine in energy drinks and as a supplement for chemotherapy side effects, noting that its benefits in leukemia patients should be carefully considered.

Dr. Marc Siegel, a clinical professor not involved in the research, commented that while the study suggests a troubling connection, more investigation is required. “Future therapies promise to block the uptake of taurine into leukemia cells,” he said. However, he also pointed out that there is currently no evidence energy drinks or taurine-rich foods cause healthy cells to transform into leukemia cells. Dr. Hooman Melamed, an orthopedic spine surgeon, recommended against consuming energy drinks, especially those with numerous synthetic additives. “From a clinical perspective, I always advise patients to give their bodies what they need, but not to overload them with substances they don't,” he said. He advocated for caution, urging consumers to read labels closely and avoid products with unrecognizable ingredients.
Key points to consider:

• The body naturally produces taurine, making extra supplementation generally unnecessary for most people.
• Patients with leukemia should be cautious about taurine-rich supplements and drinks.
• Further research in humans is necessary before firm conclusions or recommendations can be made.

The study was supported by multiple organizations, including the National Institutes of Health, the American Society of Hematology, the Leukemia Research Foundation, and the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Researchers plan to broaden their investigation by examining how some syndromes lead to acute leukemia and how best to target taurine uptake in leukemia cells for improved treatments. As scientific understanding evolves, medical professionals advise individuals to consult with healthcare providers before making changes to their diet or supplement regime—particularly in relation to products containing taurine.