Taurine is a bit of an exception as an amino acid since it is one of the amino acids that we do not necessarily need all the time. Amino acids are the elements of proteins, and anyone who is interested in fitness and exercise is also interested in building muscle to some degree. Put simply, taurine is an amino acid, one of the so-called building blocks of life. How many of us even think to ask, what is taurine? Energy drinks, sports, drinks, supplements-even baby food-now contain taurine. Taurine seems to turn up in so many things that it has become part of the norm for food and drink additives.