Does taurine stop you sleeping?

What exactly is taurine?

Taurine is a sulphur-containing amino acid derivative produced naturally by the human body. It is found in the blood vessels, retina, muscles, brain ...

Present in many animal species, it is also available from the diet, from foods such as meat, shellfish and seaweed (1).

The origin of the word ‘taurine’

This substance was discovered in the 19th century by German scientists. They extracted it from the bile of bulls, hence the name ‘taurine’, though it is not exclusive to this animal.

Before we explore its effects on sleep, let’s first review taurine’s well-established effects.

It facilitates and prolongs recovery

Essential to health, taurine is particularly important for movement. It thus helps provide energy for your physical activities.

One of its positive effects, well-known by sportspeople, is its ability to improve performance, including endurance. Some athletes therefore use taurine supplements (Taurine 1000 mg) to help prevent cramps, sore muscles and other discomfort.

At the right dose, this type of product is effective at supporting post-exercise muscle recovery. (2-3)

It is also a powerful antioxidant

As an antioxidant, taurine also supports the body’s cells (4-6). For example, it plays a role in maintaining the heart. (7)

It can slow down the ageing process and may thus prevent a number of health problems such as age-related macular degeneration. (8)

An amino acid derivative that benefits the digestive system

In addition, taurine promotes secretion of bile salts and thus supports effective elimination of waste products from the body. It helps maintain a healthy gut. (9)

It also encourages good absorption of fats, which may help prevent obesity. (10)

Taurine and bull testicles: an enduring misconception

There are many mistaken beliefs about taurine.

One is that it is made from bull testicles. It’s not. As described, this substance is produced by the body and obtained from a variety of ‘normal’ foods.

Is it a stimulant?

Another misconception is that taurine is a stimulant. It’s nothing of the sort.. It instead plays a stimulant role, which is not the same thing. (11)

Its reputation as a stimulant comes from confusion over energy drinks, which often combine taurine and caffeine. And it’s the latter, not taurine, which is responsible for the drink’s stimulating effects.

Is taurine bad for sleep?

Now for the key question: does taurine stop you sleeping?

Following on from the previous point, many people think that taurine is bad for sleep. Again, this is a fallacy. According to some studies, taurine may even help you get to sleep!

An American study compared the effects of caffeine and taurine on drosophila flies. Researchers observed that insects given a dose of caffeine had difficulty getting to sleep, while administration of taurine strongly promoted drowsiness (12).

This substance may actually have an anxiolytic (anti-anxiety) effect(13). It’s known that taurine directly affects GABA, an inhibitory neurotransmitter of the central nervous system, which is able to increase calmness and serenity. (14) Perfect for inducing a good night’s sleep and ensuring you wake up in tip-top form.

A lack of taurine, however, is clearly associated with stress, and therefore poor sleep. Supplementing with taurine may thus help to relieve these symptoms (15).

Maintain good physical condition at the same time as ensuring quality sleep

By choosing to supplement with taurine (Taurine 1000 mg), you can improve your physical capacity, reduce aching muscles, and slow down ageing of your cells … And all without impairing the quality of your sleep, indeed, you may even improve it.

If you want to do even more to aid your recovery and facilitate the renewal of your muscle mass, why not take advantage of the benefits offered by the amino acid glutamine (try L-Glutamine). As for antioxidants, we’d suggest a specialised supplement such as AntiOxidant Synergy.

And if you often have trouble getting to sleep, or wake frequently in the night, there are also specific supplements for addressing insomnia such as Advanced Sleep Formula