Summary.
Recent literature suggests that both caffeine and taurine can induce diuresis and natriuresis in rat and man. Although they act via different cellular mechanisms, their diuretic actions might be additive. This is of considerable interest, as several commercially available energy drinks contain both substances.
In this study we examined the possible diuretic effects of caffeine and taurine in a cross-over-design in which 12 healthy male volunteers received each of 4 different test drinks (750 ml of energy drink containing 240 mg caffeine and 3 g taurine, the three other test drinks either lacked caffeine, taurine or both) after restraining from fluids for 12 h.
Mixed model analyses demonstrated that urinary output and natriuresis were significantly increased by caffeine (mean differences 243 ml and 27 mmol; both p < 0.001) and that there were no such effects of taurine (mean differences 59 ml and −4 mmol). Additionally, urinary osmolarity at baseline was significantly related to the urinary output (p < 0.001). Urine osmolarity values at baseline and in the 6 h urine collection did not differ significantly between treatments.
Taken together, our study demonstrates that diuretic and natriuretic effects of the tested energy drink were largely mediated by caffeine. Taurine played no significant role in the fluid balance in moderately dehydrated healthy young consumers. Consequently, the diuretic potential of energy drinks will not differ significantly from other caffeine containing beverages.
References
T Barthel D Mechau T Wehr R Schnittker H Liesen M Weiss (2001) ArticleTitleReadiness potential in different states of physical activation and after ingestion of taurine and/or caffeine containing drinks Amino Acids 20 63–73 Occurrence Handle11310931 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3MXktlOksbk%3D Occurrence Handle10.1007/s007260170066
JW Daly (1993) Mechanism of action of caffeine S Garattini (Eds) Caffeine, coffee and health Raven Press New York 97–150
S Gentile E Bologna D Terracina M Angelico (1994) ArticleTitleTaurine-induced diuresis and natriuresis in cirrhotic patients with ascites Life Sci 54 1585–1593 Occurrence Handle8196477 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK2cXis1OhtLk%3D Occurrence Handle10.1016/0024-3205(94)90030-2
JA Horner LA Reyner (2001) ArticleTitleBeneficial effects of an “energy drink” given to sleepy drivers Amino Acids 20 83–89 Occurrence Handle10.1007/s007260170068
N Hussy V Bres M Rochette A Duvoid G Alonso G Dayanithi FC Moos (2001) ArticleTitleOsmoregulation of vasopressin secretion via activation of neurohypophysial nerve terminals glycine receptors by glial taurine J Neurosci 27 7110–7116
Ms Mozaffari D Schaffer (2001) ArticleTitleTaurine modulates arginine vasopressin-mediated regulation of renal function Cardiovasc Pharmacol 37 742–750 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3MXjsl2jsLY%3D Occurrence Handle10.1097/00005344-200106000-00012
J Nussberger V Mooser G Maridor L Juillerat B Waeber HR Brunner (1990) ArticleTitleCaffeine-induced diuresis and atrial natriuretic peptides Cardiovasc Pharmacol 15 685–691 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK3cXktVSms7s%3D Occurrence Handle10.1097/00005344-199005000-00001
LA Reyner JA Horne (2002) ArticleTitleEfficacy of a “functional energy drink” in counteracting driver sleepiness Physiol Behav 75 331–335 Occurrence Handle11897259 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DC%2BD38XhvVCgtr8%3D Occurrence Handle10.1016/S0031-9384(01)00669-2
DG Shirley SJ Walter FH Noormohamed (2002) ArticleTitleNatriuretic effect of caffeine: assessment of segmental sodium reabsorption in humans Clin Sci 103 461–466 Occurrence Handle12401118 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DC%2BD38Xot1Kntrc%3D Occurrence Handle10.1042/CS20020055
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Riesenhuber, A., Boehm, M., Posch, M. et al. Diuretic potential of energy drinks. Amino Acids 31, 81–83 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00726-006-0363-5
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00726-006-0363-5