Safety Profile
Known Safety Concerns
- May lower blood pressure -- additive with antihypertensives
- Mild diuretic effect -- monitor hydration
- Very high doses (above 10 g per day) not well studied
- Combined with caffeine in energy drinks may mask caffeine toxicity symptoms
Contraindications
- May lower blood pressure -- additive with antihypertensives
- Mild diuretic effect -- monitor hydration
Interactions
Information not yet available for this ingredient profile.
Evidence and Scientific Findings
Ingredient Overview
Taurine is a sulfur-containing amino acid found naturally in the body and in high concentrations in energy drinks. It has cardiovascular, neurological, and antioxidant roles. At supplement doses it is generally well tolerated. A 2023 Science study found taurine supplementation extended healthspan in animal models. May lower blood pressure and has mild diuretic effects. Usually safe at 500-2000 mg per day.
Biological and Chemical Classification
- Scientific Name
- 2-Aminoethanesulfonic acid
Mechanism of Action
Information not yet available for this ingredient profile.
Clinical Evidence of Effectiveness
Information not yet available for this ingredient profile.
Pharmacokinetics
Information not yet available for this ingredient profile.
Recommended Dosage
Information not yet available for this ingredient profile.
SETI — Scientific Evidence Transparency Index
Executive Summary — Ingredient Assessment
- 5 studies reviewed
- 0 high-quality studies (meta-analysis or RCT)
- Main clinical benefit observed: Metabolic
- Evidence consistency: High consistency across studies (100%)
- May lower blood pressure -- additive with antihypertensives
- Mild diuretic effect -- monitor hydration
- Very high doses (above 10 g per day) not well studied
- Combined with caffeine in energy drinks may mask caffeine toxicity symptoms
The available scientific evidence for Taurine indicates notable safety signals that warrant caution. Use should be considered carefully and monitored, particularly in sensitive populations or alongside other medications.
Total SETI Score
High risk| Evidence quality | 5/40 |
| Evidence consistency | 20/20 |
| Safety signals | 10/20 |
| Study recency | 10/10 |
| Evidence transparency | 10/10 |
Evidence Summary
- 5 studies reviewed
- 0 high-quality studies (meta-analysis or systematic review)
- 0 studies identified benefits or no safety concern (GREEN)
- 5 studies reported limited or advisory safety evidence (YELLOW)
Evidence Policy
Only peer-reviewed scientific literature indexed in PubMed or comparable databases is included in this evaluation. Commercial websites, blogs, and marketing materials are excluded. All references include direct traceable links to source documents.
Last updated: 24 მარ 2026, 09:04
Evidence Distribution
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWFunctional Role of Taurine in Aging and Cardiovascular Health: An Updated Overview. ↗Santulli G et al.. Functional Role of Taurine in Aging and Cardiovascular Health: An Updated Overview.. Nutrients. 2023. PMID:37836520.PMID 37836520 ↗Journal NutrientsYear 2023Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37836520/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWTaurine Supplementation as a Neuroprotective Strategy upon Brain Dysfunction in Metabolic Syndrome and Diabetes. ↗Rafiee Z et al.. Taurine Supplementation as a Neuroprotective Strategy upon Brain Dysfunction in Metabolic Syndrome and Diabetes.. Nutrients. 2022. PMID:35334949.PMID 35334949 ↗Journal NutrientsYear 2022Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35334949/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWTaurine: A Maternally Derived Nutrient Linking Mother and Offspring. ↗Tochitani S. Taurine: A Maternally Derived Nutrient Linking Mother and Offspring.. Metabolites. 2022. PMID:35323671.PMID 35323671 ↗Journal MetabolitesYear 2022Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35323671/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWSynthesis of 2-Aminoethanesulfonamides of Betulinic and Betulonic Acids. ↗Komissarova NG et al.. Synthesis of 2-Aminoethanesulfonamides of Betulinic and Betulonic Acids.. Chem Nat Compd. 2021. PMID:34276060.PMID 34276060 ↗Journal Chem Nat CompdYear 2021Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34276060/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWTaurine depresses cardiac contractility and enhances systemic heart glucose utilization in the cuttlefish, Sepia officinalis. ↗MacCormack TJ et al.. Taurine depresses cardiac contractility and enhances systemic heart glucose utilization in the cuttlefish, Sepia officinalis.. J Comp Physiol B. 2016. PMID:26644087.PMID 26644087 ↗Journal J Comp Physiol BYear 2016Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26644087/
Score Transparency
0 of 10 approved references (score saturates at 10). More peer-reviewed studies = stronger evidence base.
Method: Q = number of approved references ÷ 10 (capped at 1.0)
Limited — mostly case reports or animal studies
Method: L = mean study-level weight across approved references. Level 1 (meta-analysis / systematic review) = 1.0; Level 2 (RCT) = 0.8; Level 3 (cohort/case-control) = 0.6; Level 4 (case report) = 0.4; Level 5 (animal / in-vitro) = 0.2.
Mixed or neutral — roughly equal benefit and risk signals
Method: D = (sum of risk-scored references − sum of benefit-scored references) ÷ total evidence score, then scaled from [−1, 1] to [0, 1]. 0.0 = pure benefit; 0.5 = neutral; 1.0 = pure risk.
One or more monitoring-level safety signals active
Method: S = 0.5 (neutral baseline) + sum of active signal severity deltas ÷ 10. Severity deltas: Critical = +2.0, High = +1.5, Moderate = +1.0, Low = +0.5. Capped at 1.0.
Final GIRI Score for Taurine. Risk level thresholds: Low 0–3.0 · Moderate 3.0–5.5 · High 5.5–7.5 · Critical 7.5–10.
Full methodology & data sources
The GIRI Score is computed entirely from structured data — no editorial scoring or subjective weighting is applied at any step.
- References: Only approved references are counted. Each reference is assigned an evidence level (L1–L5) and a direction (risk / neutral / benefit) by the reference manager or AI classifier.
- Safety Signals: Sourced from regulatory agencies (FDA, EMA, Health Canada, TGA, and others) and pharmacovigilance databases. Only active signals count toward the score.
- Formula version: GIRI Score v3.7.0 — Q × L × D × S × 10.
- Limitations: The score reflects published evidence and recorded signals as of the last update date. It is not a clinical risk assessment and should not replace advice from a qualified healthcare professional.
Risk Level Classification
Based on available regulatory signals and scientific evidence, this ingredient presents a low safety concern under normal conditions of use.
0–3.0
3.0–5.5
5.5–7.5
7.5–10
The score pin shows exactly where this ingredient falls on the fixed risk scale.
What drove the Low classification for Taurine
A score of 2.5 places this ingredient in the Low band. Thresholds: Low 0–3.0 · Moderate 3.0–5.5 · High 5.5–7.5 · Critical 7.5–10.
0 approved references.
Limited — mostly case reports or animal studies (Level 4–5).
Neutral or mixed — benefit and risk signals roughly balanced.
No active signals — S component is at neutral baseline (0.5), contributing no extra risk weight.
No major regulatory restrictions or advisories recorded across monitored jurisdictions (FDA, EMA, Health Canada, TGA, and others).
How are the Low / Moderate / High / Critical thresholds defined?
The four risk levels are fixed score bands. A score is assigned to exactly one level based on where it falls:
| Level | Score | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| LOW | 0.0 – 2.9 | Sparse or predominantly beneficial evidence. No active safety alerts. |
| MODERATE | 3.0 – 5.4 | Mixed signals — some risk alongside benefit. Caution at high doses or in sensitive groups. |
| HIGH | 5.5 – 7.4 | Multiple studies or regulatory alerts documenting adverse effects. Professional oversight recommended. |
| CRITICAL | 7.5 – 10 | Regulatory restrictions in one or more major jurisdictions. Serious documented harm. Avoid without specialist supervision. |
Thresholds are fixed constants (GIRI_Score_Utils::LEVEL_THRESHOLDS). They do not change per ingredient and are never subject to editorial adjustment.