heart health Archives - GEG Research and Consulting

Taurine and the Heart – Book Excerpt of the Week

April 3, 2017September 7, 2019greeneyedguide

The Book Excerpt of the Week deals with TAURINE. This is a very common energy drink ingredients, but have you ever wondered what it does?

In my book, I review the What It Is/What It Does/How Much Do I Need for the most common energy drink ingredients. Taurine has multiple functions (see last week’s excerpt). One of the things it does is control ion balances (ions like sodium, potassium, calcium).

Taurine can help with bloating because taurine helps the body restore the ideal balance of sodium and potassium, reducing water retention. Taurine also helps restore the balance of calcium ions inside heart muscle cells. Calcium imbalances can lead to cell death and heart muscle damage.
Does this mean an energy drink is good for the heart? No. An energy drink contains many ingredients, so the functions of all those ingredients has to be considered.

Get your copy of “Are You a Monster or a Rock Star-A Guide to Energy Drinks: How They Work, Why They Work, How to Use Them Safely” at http://amzn.to/2bjHRbk

Caffeine-Taurine Interactions, Husky puppies and emergency breaks — Book Excerpt of the Week

January 9, 2017September 7, 2019greeneyedguide

Ever wonder whether there’s an interaction between caffeine and taurine? Caffeine and taurine both influence something called angiotensin II, which raises blood pressure. Caffeine augments the action of angiotensin II, but taurine tones it down [source: European Commission’s Scientific Committee on Food, 2003].

So what happens to your blood pressure and heart rate when you consume an energy drink with caffeine and taurine? How do these two ingredients work with each other?

In one study, a drink with 80mg caffeine and 1,000mg taurine increased blood pressure and heart rate of the study participants. On the seventh straight day of the study, heart rate increased by 11% after consuming the drink. However there were no significant electrocardiogram (EKG) changes. It’s worth repeating that you should LIMIT CAFFEINE if you have heart or blood pressure conditions.

This study also suggests you shouldn’t have an energy drink every single day… (#moderation!)

Maybe taurine keeps the heart rate from escalating further, but it’s hard to say because this study wasn’t blind or placeo controlled, and there was no taurine-free caffeinated drink to compare the results against.

Caffeine-Taurine interaction remains questionable and unproven.

How much caffeine can I have a day? Book Excerpt of the Week

November 21, 2016September 8, 2019greeneyedguide

This Book Excerpt of the Week is from PART ONE: ABCs of Caffeine Safety – B=Biological Sensitivity. Did you know a healthy adult can consume up to 400 milligrams of caffeine per day? This magic number is the conclusion of a massive study on caffeine intake and what amounts trigger side effects and health problems.

capture-mon — PS – I also post the Book Excerpt of the Week every Monday morning on my Instagram page! Find me ‘greeneyedguide’

Obeying this this limit is SO IMPORTANT because it means the caffeine should not cause any side effects of bone health and calcium balance, heart health, changes in behavior, incidences of cancer, or male fertility. Going above this magic limit is, well, pushing it. It goes without saying that your personal limits may vary depending on your own sensitivity. Also, I should not have to point this out, but it would be unwise to consume your whole day’s worth of caffeine in one sitting.

As I mentioned with the Book Except of the Week from last week (Caffeine and Panic Attacks), THIS IS WHY IT DRIVES ME CRAZY when people talk about energy drinks WITHOUT DISCLOSING THE AMOUNT OF CAFFEINE. ~~Energy drinks~~ caffeinated beverages and supplements are definitely not for everyone but it’s important to include these details so people can make informed choices about which products work and don’t work for them.

Help me share my story– An energy drink is like your favorite song: what works for YOU might not work for me, and what works for you on a Monday morning may not be your go-to for a Friday night. As the GreenEyedGuide, I use food science to teach people how to calculate what they need and when, whether it’s water, a nap, or some healthy beverage in between.

For more information:

Get your copy of my book “Are You a Monster or a Rock Star-A Guide to Energy Drinks: How They Work, Why They Work, How to Use Them Safely” http://amzn.to/2bjHRbk