A recent study has pointed to taurine potentially slowing the aging process. This nutrient is found in meat, fish and dairy—and energy drinks.

“Supplementation with taurine slowed key markers of aging,” the study authors wrote, such as DNA damage. “Loss of taurine in humans was associated with aging-related diseases,” while “taurine supplementation improved life span in mice and health span in monkeys.”

Vijay Yadav led the study, which was conducted at Columbia University. According to a report on the study, “The researchers started with close to 250 14-month-old female and male mice (about 45 years old in people terms).” Half of the mice were given taurine supplements.

At the end of the experiment, Yadav and his team found that taurine increased the average lifespan of female mice 12% and male mice 10%. “For the mice, that meant three to four extra months, equivalent to about seven or eight human years.”

The study also found that mice given taurine at age 2 (about 60 in human years) were healthier “in almost every way.” It suppressed weight gain, increased bone mass and improved muscle strength, among many other benefits. Taurine has been found to have similar effects when given to rhesus monkeys.

Although trials in humans have not been completed, evidence points to the same link between taurine and slower aging. One found that people with higher taurine levels were less likely to have diabetes and had lower levels of inflammation.