Caffeine and taurine: a systematic review and network meta-analysis of their individual and combined effects on physical capacity, cognitive function, and physiological markers.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Caffeine (CAF) and taurine (TAU) have each demonstrated ergogenic effects across physical and cognitive domains. Often co-formulated in commercial energy drinks, they are widely regarded as the two principal bioactive compounds. However, findings regarding their combined efficacy remain inconclusive. This systematic review and Bayesian network meta-analysis aimed to quantify the individual and combined effects of CAF and TAU on physical capacity, cognitive function, and physiological responses, with a focus on identifying potential synergistic or antagonistic interactions.

Methods

Cochrane Library, PubMed, SciELO, SportsDiscus-EBSCO and Web of Science were searched through 25 July 2025. The pooled effect of each outcome was summarized using SMD (Hedge's g) by Baye

SUBMITTER: Deng H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12490369 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature