Using caffeine and taurine together leads to improved physical and mental performance.
(Ozan et al., 2022)
A significant amount of evidence suggests that caffeine supplements (in dosages of 3-6 mg per kg of body weight) can improve physical performance during aerobic and anaerobic exercises. The effects of taurine supplements on exercise performance are less clear. Still, it is considered a potential performance-enhancer due to its various physiological functions, including its role in regulating calcium levels and fat metabolism. Taurine is also often included in energy drinks, which have been shown to improve exercise performance when combined with caffeine and other ingredients. It is unclear if taking a combination of caffeine and taurine together would have a more significant effect on exercise performance compared to taking either substance alone.
This study involved 20 elite male boxers (average age 22) who participated in a randomized crossover trial. They were given one of four different supplements 60 minutes before completing a series of tests, including a Wingate test (a 30-second all-out cycling sprint), a balance test, the Illinois agility test, and the Stroop test (a neuropsychological assessment). The four supplements they received were: caffeine (CAF) at a dosage of 6 mg per kg of body weight, taurine (TAU) at a dosage of 3,000 mg, a combination of caffeine and taurine (CAF+TAU), and a placebo (PLA) consisting of 300 mg of maltodextrin. All four sessions took place within 72 hours. The outcomes measured included peak power, relative peak power, average power, minimum power, time to reach peak power, blood lactate levels, perceived exertion during the Wingate test, balance in both legs during the balance test, time to complete the Illinois agility test, and reaction time and error rate during the Stroop test.
Compared to the placebo, all three active treatments (CAF, TAU, and CAF+TAU) increased peak power, relative peak power, average power, and minimum power, reducing the time to reach peak power.
The CAF+TAU treatment also decreased perceived exertion compared to the placebo.
The CAF treatment increased relative peak power, average power, and minimum power compared to the TAU treatment, and the CAF+TAU treatment increased all four of these measures compared to the CAF and TAU treatments.
In the balance test, the CAF+TAU treatment improved all balance-related outcomes compared to the placebo.
All three active treatments (CAF, TAU, and CAF+TAU) improved performance in the agility test compared to the placebo, and the CAF+TAU treatment improved reaction time in the Stroop test compared to the CAF, TAU, and placebo treatments. All three active treatments (CAF, TAU, and CAF+TAU) also improved the error rate compared to the placebo.
Reference:
Ozan, M.; Buzdagli, Y.; Eyipinar, C.D.; Baygutalp, N.K.; Yüce, N.; Oget, F.; Kan, E.; Baygutalp, F. Does Single or Combined Caffeine and Taurine Supplementation Improve Athletic and Cognitive Performance without Affecting Fatigue Level in Elite Boxers? A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study. Nutrients 2022, 14, 4399. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14204399