Are you looking for a new drink to add to your daily routine because coffee is just too stimulating? Or do you want something that will help you relax and unwind after a long day at work, and won’t keep your brain buzzing into the night? If so, then we have just the solution: L-theanine.
L-theanine is an amino acid found in green tea that contributes to its mood-boosting and stress-reducing effects. It is also found in small amounts in other types of teas (black, white, oolong) but has increased health benefits when consumed as a natural ingredient within green tea.
You’ll find yourself feeling more relaxed and less stressed after drinking this delicious beverage. It’s perfect for those who want something that will help them unwind without keeping their brain buzzing into the night.
In this article, we’ll be talking about L-theanine outstanding benefits for your health, why everyone’s obsessed with it, and much more. So, if you want to discover the true wonders of this natural ingredient, then read on!
What is L-Theanine?
L-theanine is one of the major components in green tea that contributes to its overall health benefits. It’s a natural amino acid, which means it’s an organic compound involved in protein metabolism. L-theanine is known for being the second most abundant free amino acid found in the human body after glutamic acid.
You’ll often find this natural ingredient in matcha green tea, which is made from finely ground whole green tea leaves. It’s also found in other teas that aren’t oxidized (black, white, oolong) but has increased health benefits when consumed with green tea.
Is L-Theanine the same as green tea?
Not exactly, L-theanine is found in green tea. However, it’s the primary amino acid found in matcha green tea, which is made from finely ground whole green tea leaves. This type of green tea has increased health benefits because you’re ingesting the whole leaf (not just an extract) that includes all of its antioxidants and nutrients.
In contrast, other types of teas have lower quantities of L-theanine because they’re not made from whole leaves. Instead, they’re just steeped in hot water or sometimes put over a fire to heat up. In the end, organic green tea has more health benefits than other types of teas because you’re getting the whole leaf, not just an infusion.
The Benefits of L-Theanine That Make People Obsessed With It
Even though L-theanine has been used in traditional medicine for hundreds of years, it’s only recently gained the attention it deserves because of its health benefits. Since this natural ingredient produces a calming effect without drowsiness, you can safely drink green tea throughout the day, even at work.
Here are some of the amazing benefits that make people obsessed with this natural ingredient:
1. L-theanine reduces stress levels (physical and psychological stresses)
When consumed, it can stimulate the production of alpha waves in the brain that are associated with a relaxed state of mind. Also, it decreases psychological and physiological stress responses.
This means you’ll feel more calm and peaceful after drinking it rather than feeling stressed out. But keep in mind that if you’re not a fan of green tea, you won’t experience this effect as much as people who do drink it regularly.
2. L-theanine can improve your mood and lower anxiety levels
L-theanine not only reduces stress levels but also provides a more positive mindset by reducing anxiety and depression. If you’re someone who’s feeling particularly stressed out or just having a bad day, consuming L-theanine before bed will not only improve your sleep but also help you feel more relaxed the following morning.
Also, L-theanine relieves positive and negative mood swings.
3. With L-theanine, your cognitive performance can be enhanced
Out of all the benefits associated with L-theanine, everyone is obsessed with its ability to improve mental health such as increasing focus, concentration, and cognitive function, as well as sharpening mental clarity.
If you’re feeling particularly overwhelmed from a long day of work, just drinking this amino acid before bed will help your mind relax and make it easier for you to focus on the task at hand the following morning.
In addition, brain fog will be significantly reduced after consuming L-theanine.
4. L-theanine can also improve immune function
That’s right! Not only is L-theanine good for your brain but it’s also good for your immune system. Studies have shown that it can stimulate the production of immunoglobulins, which are antibodies that fight against bacteria to keep your body healthy.
5. Didn't I mention that L-theanine can also reduce blood pressure levels?
Having high blood pressure can pose a major risk of health complications, which is why it’s important to keep it under control through diet and exercise.
L-theanine helps by preventing hypertension because it relaxes the tension within blood vessels that can cause issues.
6. It can protect your heart from damage
Heart issues are extremely common in today’s day and age, which is why it’s so important to keep your heart healthy from the inside out.
Drinking green tea or consuming L-theanine supplements regularly can help by preventing atherosclerosis and reducing levels of bad cholesterol within the blood vessels.
7. Can help control your weight as well as prevent obesity
High levels of bad cholesterol and high blood pressure can cause serious damage to the heart, which puts you at a greater risk for developing other serious health conditions.
That’s why it’s important to always take care of your heart by consuming a healthy diet that doesn’t contribute additional fat and sugar. Drinking green tea and taking L-theanine supplements help burn fat within the body, which can also contribute to a healthier cardiovascular system.
8. L-theanine is a natural energy booster
If you’re someone who’s struggling to find the energy after a long day at work, drinking L-theanine can help you feel more energetic without drowsiness.
This amino acid provides mental clarity and focus that will give you an extra boost of motivation to wake up earlier and accomplish goals for the day.
9. It can also protect your liver function
Liver damage is one of the most serious health complications out there, which is why consuming this amino acid regularly can help prevent these issues. It can also restore damaged liver cells by stimulating their growth so they can heal.
10. L-theanine has anti-cancer properties as well
New studies are showing that L-theanine can help fight against cancer cells by inhibiting their growth in the body. It also makes chemotherapy treatments more effective so it’s important to drink this anti-cancer ingredient in addition to getting regular checkups for early detection.
11. L-Theanine can also help improve your mood
A more positive mindset is always encouraged, which is why L-theanine should be consumed regularly. Whether you’re just having a bad day or struggling with anxiety or depression, this amino acid can boost serotonin levels for a happier and healthier state of mind.
12. Lowers your chance of developing neurodegenerative diseases
As many of us know, neurodegenerative diseases are often caused by age or stress to the brain. Since L-theanine helps reduce levels of cortisol, which is the stress hormone in your body, consuming this great natural substance regularly can help prevent any future neurological damage you might encounter.
13. Helps improve eye health
Since L-theanine can boost your immune system, it also helps fight against various types of infections that may result in damage to the eyes.
Consuming this amino acid regularly can help reduce inflammation and prevent future complications caused by poor vision.
What Diseases Can L-Theanine Help With?
The benefits include anything from better sleeping to reduced anxiety. It works by increasing levels of serotonin, dopamine, and GABA in your brain to help control mood disorders and give you a more positive state of mind.
However you choose to use L-theanine as a natural remedy for stress relief, it has shown promising effects on both mental and physical health that make it worth trying out!
But talking about diseases, here is the list of diseases that this natural substance can help with:
1. Cancer
L-theanine has anti-cancer properties and can help fight off inflammation, which is a major cause of many types of cancer.
Studies show that the amino acid works by suppressing the growth of tumor cells in various parts of the body including the colon, skin, stomach, esophagus, liver, gallbladder, small intestines, and pancreas.
2. Obesity
Obesity is on the rise, which means that studies looking into possible treatments for weight loss are important to conduct. In a study published by American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, it was found that L-theanine can help reduce body weight by suppressing lipid absorption from fat cells, which makes them less likely to accumulate.
3. Tinnitus
Hearing benefits include having relaxing properties that can reduce stress and anxiety, which are both associated with people who suffer from tinnitus (ringing in the ears).
Since stress is believed to aggravate tinnitus symptoms, it’s important for those struggling with the condition to find natural treatments that can soothe their mind while improving overall health.
4. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
Many children and adults struggle to get proper treatment for ADHD due to the lack of information out there.
Instead, people often end up getting misdiagnosed or not treated at all until it’s too late. Studies show that L-theanine benefits include improving concentration and focus in individuals with this condition by increasing levels of dopamine in the brain without affecting motor skills.
5. Schizophrenia and Schizoaffective disorder
Schizophrenia is a mental disorder that can be treated by medications, which often come with dangerous side effects.
The mental health benefits of L-Theanine include its ability to improve cognition in these individuals without causing any changes to motor skills or reactions.
Side effects of taking too much L-theanine
What you read was the good part, now let’s see the great part.
Side effects for L-theanine are very minimal and usually include nausea and dizziness. This is only because if you consume too much of it at one time, your body will naturally push out the excess through other means instead of absorbing it all into the bloodstream.
The best way to get these benefits is by drinking green tea or taking L-theanine supplements regularly so you can get the most health benefits without worrying about overdosing.
However, it’s important to note that various doses of this supplement can be administered, depending on your specific needs. Generally speaking though, you should not take more than 500mg in one sitting since anything more than that may cause negative side effects for your body.
Types of supplements containing L-theanine
Many different dietary supplements contain L-theanine, including:
- Tea extracts
- Drinking tea
- Coffee supplements like Java Burn
- Tablets and capsules
- Natural tea extracts (such as in green or black tea) that can either be consumed regularly or used for topical application
If you choose to go with supplements, then not just this will make consuming L-Theanine easy regularly in small doses throughout the day, but also L-theanine supplements will give you a substantial boost of healthy nutrients that your body needs for optimal health.
What Are The Best L-Theanine Supplements?
As stated above, various supplements contain L-theanine depending on your specific needs.
In other words, there are different best products for different use cases. I’ll mention the main ones for four categories: weight loss, vision, back pain, and a general one.
Best L-theanine Supplement For Weight Loss: Java Burn
This coffee supplement is packaged like a coffee packet that you can add to your morning coffee or any drink of your favorite, sip it, and enjoy losing weight. It contains L-Theanine, along with other fat-burning ingredients like L-Carnitine and green tea extract.
Price: $34 Per Pouch (After Discount)
Where to buy it:
The only place to get the official Java Burn pills is through the official website here:
That is what they have stated on their website to stay away from fake retailers.
How to take it:
Just use one packet per day in your regular beverage like coffee. It’s recommended to take it in the morning so you can also get other benefits like boosted energy.
Want a detailed review to know more about it?
Check out this article: Java Burn review [The STEALTHY Truth]
Best L-theanine Supplement For Back Pain: Flexo Bliss
This supplement is recommended for those who have back pain from sitting down for long periods of the day. It contains a variety of ingredients that work together to help improve mobility and flexibility in your muscles, as well as reduce inflammation and chronic pain.
Price: $49 Per Bottle (After Discount)
Where to buy it:
You can only purchase Flexo Bliss on their official website here:
How to take it:
Take only one pill every day.
Want a detailed review to know more about it?
Check out this article: Flexo Bliss review [Full Review]
Best L-theanine Supplement For Vision Support: ReVision
This supplement is for those who have vision problems at the computer. It helps to improve your eyesight in a natural way that won’t be too harsh on your system or cause negative side effects in the long run.
Price: $49 Per Bottle (After Discount)
Where to buy it:
You can only purchase ReVision through their official website here:
How to take it:
Take two pills every day with food, preferably in the morning when you wake up or during lunchtime. For more benefits, take it with breakfast so you also get other nutrients mixed into your system.
Want a detailed review to know more about it?
Check out this article: ReVision Review
Best PURE L-theanine Supplement: Pure Encapsulations L-Theanine
If you want the safest, most potent, and purest L-Theanine supplement on the market, this is your number one choice. It’s formulated with only one ingredient (L-Theanine) in an easy-to-take pill dosage form.
Price: $92 Per Bottle (No Discount Available)
Where to buy it:
You can purchase Pure Encapsulations L-theanine capsules here on Amazon:
www.amazon.com/Pure-Encapsulations
How to take it:
As a dietary supplement, take 2 capsules, 1-3 times daily, between meals.
Conclusion
Studies have shown that L-Theanine can increase dopamine in the brain, which allows you to feel more relaxed and alert when working. It’s also been linked with many other benefits including reduced stress levels when used daily in small doses.
L-theanine is a naturally occurring amino acid in green tea, which has a great role in stress reduction and mood enhancement. It has no side effects and works well with caffeine, making it the perfect supplement to take between meals for a boost of productivity and relaxation before bedtime.
If you drink tea, especially the green one, then you are on the right track. You can include this supplement in your daily routine, or you can mix its powder with other drinks for an energy fix that keeps out negative side effects.
I hope this article was helpful! If you think so please share this article about this amazing natural substance with your friends and family.
FAQ About L-Theanine
What does theanine do to the body?
Research suggests that taking theanine daily may prevent high blood pressure, promote cardiovascular health, and aid psychiatric disorders, especially anxiety.
What are the benefits of taking L-theanine daily?
There are a variety of mental and physical benefits that can be obtained from taking L-theanine daily. Some of the most notable benefits include calmness, reduced stress levels, increased mental focus, improved moods, and sleep aid effects.
Does L-theanine make you happy?
Yes, studies have shown that L-Theanine can increase the level of serotonin and dopamine in the brain, making it a great mood enhancer.
Which tea has the highest L-theanine?
The teas with the highest L-theanine levels are green and white tea, although L-theanine can also be found in black and oolong tea as well.
Is L-theanine safe while breastfeeding?
This question is still up for debate. Some studies have reported that taking L-Theanine while breastfeeding may increase the risk of side effects and toxicity to a nursing infant, although other reports show no dangerous levels found in breastfed infants under normal conditions.
So, the best option here is to consult a doctor before taking any new supplement.
Is L-theanine safe during pregnancy?
As with other supplements, while breastfeeding, the safety of L-Theanine during pregnancy is undetermined. The FDA has not ruled on the use of L-Theanine for pregnant women, so it should be avoided just to be safe.
Resources
Here are the references our researchers used when writing this article:
- https://academic.oup.com/ajcn/article/102/4/717/4564701
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18296328/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6836118/
- https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/sleep-newzzz/201708/what-you-need-know-about-l-theanine
- https://www.healthline.com/health/l-theanine
- https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-1053/theanine