Tea reduces stress and keeps you alert
What would you say if I told you your cuppa will relax you and keep you alert?
The tea plant contains a very unique and special component called L-Theanine which has been shown to promote relaxation while maintaining and alert mind – just like the effect you get from meditation!
So what is L-Theanine
L-theanine (Pronounced “tea-aneen’ is a free (non-protein) amino acid found almost exclusively in tea plants (Camellia sp.), constituting between 1 and 2-percent of the dry weight of tea leaves.
Theanine is thought to be manufactured in the root of the plant and to be used by the plant to make tea flavonoids in the leaf. This means you will find about 2-60mg of Theanine in the average cup of tea.
L-Theanine is responsible for promoting a feeling of relaxation, yet maintaining an alert mind.
Research conducted at 50mg of L-theanine – the amount found in two to three cups of tea – naturally stimulates specific brain activity, known as alpha waves. Alpha brain waves are associated with a feeling of a relaxed, yet alerted mental state.
Theanine is found in all types of tea from the tea plant including green, white, oolong and black.
How does this calming effect happen since tea contains Caffeine?
This calming effect of tea may seem contradictory to the potential stimulatory property of tea's caffeine content but it can be explained by the action of L-theanine.
Tea contains less caffeine than coffee, however even when caffeine levels are matched the effects of tea and coffee on mood are very different, suggesting there is another component in tea that may be responsible. That component in theanine! |
This amino acid actually acts antagonistically against the stimulatory effects of caffeine on the nervous system. The increased production of alpha waves in the brain means you will be in a state of being awake, alert, and relaxed at the same time. This effect occurs within 30-40 minutes of drinking your tea 50-100mg.
It has been determined that theanine antagonizes the effect of caffeine. If about eight times as much theanine than caffeine is given the effect of caffeine is completely blunted.
So how does it actually work?
- First, this amino acid directly stimulates the production of alpha brain waves, creating a state of deep relaxation and mental alertness similar to what is achieved through meditation.
- Second, L-theanine influences the levels of two other neurotransmitters, dopamine and serotonin, producing the key relaxation effect.
Additional Benefits
- Theanine is thought to be one of the reasons for the lower incidence of stroke in tea drinkers.
- Another benefit associated with theanine is stimulation of the immune system.