Taurine is a type of amino acid that your body needs when you’re sick or stressed; it’s considered a conditionally essential amino acid. Your body produces taurine in the liver, and it’s also found in foods such as meat, fish, and dairy products. Taurine can also be added to products such as energy drinks.
Your body relies on taurine for many functions. Taurine hydration helps balance fluid and electrolyte levels, for instance. This supplement also supports the immune and nervous systems, and helps guard against vision problems, among other functions. It also aids metabolism — taurine helps stomach acids properly digest fats by assisting the liver in producing bile salts.