Taurine in drink mix - bad for you?

I recently purchased these 4C "totally light energy rush" sugar free 5-cal drink mix packets. They come in assorted flavors. I only use half a packet in my water a day, and they have about 170mg of sodium per serving.

But, they also have Taurine in them, which upon some research, I found wasn't good for you.

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/taurine/AN01 856

the box looks like this:

http://energy-drink-ratings.blogspot.com/2008 /07/totally-light-2go-drink-mix-energy-rush.h tml

They do feel like they give me a least some energy, but they also contain caffeine, which isn't that good if you drink it alot, either.

Should I stop drinking it?

Umm in mayoclinic link it doesn't say anything about it being bad for you, just that long term effects are not known. In other words no one cared enough to study it.

UD

Taurine occurs naturally in the gallbladder/gut. It is referred to as an amino acid (though technically, it's not quite an amino acid) and for all intents and purposes, I consider it to be one.

Things I know about Taurine:

• It crosses the blood brain barrier + enters the brain, where we suspect that it regulates calcium channels, prevents glutamate (amino acid, think MSG) toxicity, assists in maintaining neuroplasticity (memory, learning), and possibly fulfills other functions
• It's an anti-oxidant
• It helps cells regulate electrolytes like sodium and potassium
• It's in everything my cat eats

Taurine toxicity is possible, and I try keep my SUPPLEMENTARY taurine intake at 1-2g/day - which I get from energy drinks, because I'm a caffeine junkie. A 16 oz can of Rockstar has almost 2g of taurine, but I'm not sure how much other energy drinks have.

I did a biology assignment on the affects of the chemicals in energy drinks (Red Bull, V, Rockstar, Mother and Coca-Cola). I found that Taurine doesn't affect blood sugar & insulin levels in a bad manner, yet as someone else stated before, the long term effects are not known. The worst thing about energy drinks is their sugar content, so stick to that sugar-free one :) They also usually contain various B vitamins (pantothenic acid etc) which is good in moderation.

Whether Taurine is a good thing or not .... do you really need these drinks?  Couldn't you get your energy elsewhere?  More sleep?  A better diet? Regular exercise?  Relaxation time?  

not really. They are drink mixes.

I get enough sleep, my diet is fine, I get adequate activity.

So why do you need an 'energy rush'?..

I usually feel I lack in energy despite doing everything correctly   :[

That's a pity.  But maybe caffeine isn't helping solve the underlying problem, just masking it?  If you're here because you're trying to lose weight and if weight-loss involves reduced calories then it's really easy to get a few nutritional deficiencies, even when you've got a relatively good diet.  And being overweight... hauling round 40lbs you don't really need... well that's like carrying a 40lb sack on your back and you're bound to feel a little tired.

I'd just try to go without the spooky drinks... Drink plenty of fluids because dehydration can cause fatigue but leave the chemistry sets on the shelf.