The effects and benefits of L-Theanine: the panacea for your brain
Want to take your focus to the next level? If you’ve been actively reading our blogs and our Energy Focus Blend is already running through your coffee machine every morning, you already know a few things to improve your focus.
But what if I told you that coffee’s biggest competitor can improve your concentration even more? Yes, you heard it right: a substance in tea, with the opposite effect of caffeine, can give your focus a big boost. It can also put your stress on a lower burner. Get to know the effect of L-theanine.
What exactly is L-theanine?
L-theanine is a water-soluble amino acid that can be found in tea, mainly in green tea. The effect of L-theanine plays a major role in reducing stress and anxiety. To dive straight into the scientific facts: L-theanine blocks the glutamic acid to the glutamine receptors, which makes it easier for the brain to activate so-called alpha waves in the brain. These alpha waves , in contrast to everyday beta waves, are calming and ensure an improvement in your cognitive performance such as concentration and memory.
Where can you get L-Theanine from?
As mentioned above, you can get L-theanine from a hot cup of green or black tea. A cup of about 200 ml will give you about 25 mg of L-theanine. However, you will have to put the kettle on often and drink quite a few tea bags to consume an effective amount. The recommended amount is between 100 and 400 mg. So if you don't want to have to drink too many liters of tea, you are better off buying an L-theanine supplement. These are available in both powder and capsule form, and can be purchased cheaply at most fitness and health stores. Mix a little powder into your cup of coffee or tea, and experience the stress-reducing and cognitive-enhancing benefits of L-theanine!
What are the dangers of L-Theanine?
There are actually no dangers found for consuming L-theanine. Research has been done with an intake of up to 4000mg per day and even then no dangers were found, except increased drowsiness. However, adding pure L-theanine to supplements is prohibited, as it has obtained a novel food status. This ensures that L-theanine in pure form may not be added to supplements. Fortunately, there is a solution for this and we have Green Tea Extract in our coffee which consists of (98% L-theanine). This way you can enjoy the effects of L-theanine in your coffee completely legally.