(ConservativeJournal.org) – According to new research, highly caffeinated energy drinks might be a huge factor in colorectal cancers for young people. The research suggests that the ingredient taurine present in the drinks plays a big role in feeding and creating cancerous tumors. Medical researchers report that there has been a big increase in this type of cancer for young people in recent decades.
Researchers from the University of Florida are now recruiting around 60 people aged 18 to 40 for a month’s study to confirm the results. In this study, half of the people will drink at least one energy drink a day, either Red Bull or sugar-free Celsius drinks, while the other half will not drink any. To see if there’s a connection between the energy drinks and cancer, their gut health will be compared. By the end of the study the researchers are hoping to confirm whether taurine in energy drinks promotes the growth of bacteria directly linked to colorectal cancer.
Participants will keep logs of their diet and fitness for the month as well. They will also provide all types of samples throughout the study so the researchers can closely observe any changes in the participants’ bodies.
Energy drink consumption is significant in the US, with 31% of adults aged 18 to 29 drinking them regularly, and 90% of Americans drinking any form of caffeinated beverage every day. As of 2024, there are no federal restrictions on energy drinks for young people.
Besides caffeine, these drinks contain taurine, an amino acid found in meat and fish. In excess, taurine can have negative consequences like diarrhea and nausea, but it also helps control inflammation in cells. Lab studies on taurine and cancer have been mixed, with findings showing it has both stopped cancer cells from growing and helped spread cancer.
This study hopes to uncover the reasons behind the rise in early-onset colorectal cancer and guide future prevention strategies.
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