“Is Caffeine better for you then Taurine?” One thing that most people do not realize is that caffeine is a stimulant, where taurine is an amino acid.
Where Is Caffeine Found?
Caffeine in its most common form is found in items that most individuals utilize every day, such as coffee, soda, energy drinks, as well as aspirin and acetaminophen. Some athletes or those that work out on a consistent basis are known to utilize caffeine in some form, as they feel that it helps increase their physical performance; however, this statement does not have enough sufficient data to prove that is the case.
Caffeine and Its Effects
Caffeine in most cases is used as a stimulant to help increase mental alertness and focus, however, it is also known to cause high blood pressure in individuals with heart conditions. It also causes an increase in ocular pressure for individuals whom suffer from glaucoma; this increase in pressure usually lasts about 90 minutes. If you are looking to consume caffeine for the purpose of mental alertness or the effect you feel it has on your physical performance at the gym, the safe recommendation is 250mg a day. A cup of brewed coffee can contain anywhere from 95 to 200mg of caffeine.
Taurine
Neurological development has been shown to be supported by supplementation with Taurine. Taurine is an amino acid that also helps regulate the level of water and mineral salts in the blood. It is an ingredient most commonly found in meat, fish and breast milk. This is also one of the main ingredients that you read about in the energy drinks that are on the market today.
Up to 3,000 milligrams of supplemental taurine a day is considered to be safe; if you consume more taurine then your body needs throughout the day, it is simply excreted by the kidneys. One energy drink can have as much as 2,000 mg’s of taurine in one can. In some cases, taurine is said to increase mental and physical performance, however, as is the case with caffeine, there is not enough sufficient data to prove or disprove these comments.
Moderation Is Key
Moderation is the key with this ingredient, as it is with most things. There is little information available about the effects of heavy or long-term taurine use. There are, however, some concerns about taurine being consumed by those who are pregnant and/or breast feeding. In some cases with both caffeine and taurine, individuals have experienced rapid heart rates; if this is the case with you and it continues, discontinue your use and seek out information from your personal physician. It is always recommended that you speak with your personal physician before adding any new supplement to your daily routine.
