Doctors warn popular drink may increase risk of blood cancer

A new study has revealed that a “common” ingredient found in a string of popular energy drinks could elevate the risk of blood cancers.

US researchers have found that taurine, an amino acid often added to energy drinks such as Red Bull and Celsius, can act as a fuel source for leukemia cancer cells, which develop in bone marrow.

The study authors have since warned consumers to exercise caution when consuming drinks containing the metabolism boosting ingredient, which are sold at supermarkets around the world.

“Since taurine is a common ingredient in energy drinks… our work suggests that it may be of interest to carefully consider the [risks and] benefits of supplemental taurine in leukemia patients,” the study, published in Nature, claims.

While the body naturally produces taurine, it has been used to alleviate chemotherapy side effects in leukemia patients.

But researchers at the University of Rochester in New York believe that additional intake might actually worsen the blood cancer.

They said that their study highlights the need to carefully evaluate the risks and benefits of extra taurine for leukemia patients as well as the risk to those who drink energy drinks, given how readily available the product is.

Although the study is still in its initial phases, the researchers are optimistic that targeting taurine production in leukemia cells could represent a new approach for treating these aggressive diseases.

Their experiments on mice and human leukemia cells showed that blocking taurine from entering cells could slow disease progression.

The study is part of broader research that is looking into taurine’s potential role in fuelling other cancers, such as colorectal cancer.

According to Mayo Clinic, taurine occurs naturally in foods with protein, such as meat or fish.

It is often used in energy drinks as it can help with digestion, maintain proper hydration and electrolyte balances and support the general function of your central nervous system.

The new study investigated mice with the SLC6A6 gene, which is responsible for taurine transportation throughout the body.

Researchers also transplanted samples of human leukemia cells into these mice.

They found that a specific group of healthy bone marrow cells produces taurine, the environment where leukemia develops.

The SLC6A6 gene then carries this taurine from the bone marrow to the leukemia cells.

As the cancer cells feed on taurine, they go through a process called glycolysis, which is where cells break down glucose to make energy.

This process gives cancer cells the energy to divide and multiply, which is why it can make leukemia more aggressive, as it makes more cancer cells form.

According to Cancer Australia, 5202 new cases of leukemia were diagnosed in Australia in 2022.

Approximately 2121 people died from the disease in the same year.

Currently, 135,000 people are living with blood cancer or a related blood disorder in Australia today.