Destress with These Soothing L-Theanine Drinks

According to neuroscientist Dr. Sara, “L-theanine promotes relaxation and focus by increasing alpha brain waves.”

Have you ever felt too wired to sleep or focus? Like your thoughts race nonstop on caffeine?

I used to constantly battle the jitters until discovering an amino acid called L-theanine.

When I first tried the Japanese Green Tea with added L-theanine, it was a game changer.

The L-theanine smoothed out the caffeine spike, helping me chill out and enhance concentration.

I couldn’t believe a simple nootropic supplement could make such a difference.

Let me share how L-theanine drinks can help you find the same focus and tranquility I did.

KEY TAKEAWAY

L-Theanine drinks, what to know?

L-Theanine (1) drinks promote relaxation and stress reduction.

What Are L-Theanine Drinks?

Source: Dr. LeGrand

Have you heard of L-theanine drinks but aren’t sure what exactly they are? 

L-theanine drinks are beverages that contain the amino acid L-theanine as a key ingredient.

Let’s break down what L-theanine is and how it shows up in drinks.

L-theanine is a unique amino acid most commonly found in tea leaves.

It is especially prevalent in green tea and white tea.

When tea leaves are steeped in hot water, the L-theanine is extracted from the leaves into the tea.

Green tea naturally contains between 20-50 mg of L-theanine per 8 oz cup.

Beyond traditional tea, some companies now isolate L-theanine from tea leaves and add it to other beverages to create L-theanine drinks.

This allows people to easily obtain the relaxation benefits of L-theanine without having to drink tea.

Common L-theanine drinks include:

  • L-Theanine water: Plain water infused with L-theanine powder or extract for a calming beverage option.
  • L-Theanine sparkling water: Carbonated water with added L-theanine gives it a fizzy taste while still providing relaxation effects.
  • L-Theanine lemonade: A refreshing lemonade drink made sweeter with L-theanine instead of sugar.
  • RTD L-theanine teas: Ready-to-drink iced teas with added L-theanine, like green tea.

So in summary, L-theanine drinks are any beverages that specifically list L-theanine as an ingredient and are designed to deliver this calming amino acid easily through various drink formats.

They provide an easy way to reap the benefits of L-theanine without having to brew tea.

Benefits of L-Theanine Drinks

L-Theanine Drinks

L-theanine has POTENTIAL BENEFITS for mental state AND SLEEP QUALITY. 

Here are some top ways L-THEANINE drinks CAN HELP IMPROVE your health:

Stress Relief and Relaxation

L-theanine INTERACTS WITH alpha waves IN THE BRAIN to PRODUCE A RELAXED mental state WITHOUT DROWSINESS. Some research shows L-theanine MAY HELP REDUCE stress and ANXIETY.

Table 1: Effects of L-Theanine on Mental State

Mental Effect
Supporting Research
Relaxation without drowsiness
L-theanine increases alpha brain waves which produces a relaxed and alert state of mind. A 2002 study found it improved mood and reduced anger in study participants.
Reduced stress and anxiety
Several studies link L-theanine to reduced stress hormones like cortisol and decreased physiological stress responses.

Improved Sleep Quality

Consuming L-THEANINE before bed MAY HELP PEOPLE FALL ASLEEP faster and INCREASE TIME SPENT in REM sleep, vital for feeling rested.

According to latest news, L-THEANINE helps induce calming chemical GABA for better sleep.

L-theanine drinks like tea are NATURALLY GLUTEN-FREE and SUGAR-FREE alternatives to caffeinated drinks.

Unlike energy drinks, they don’t cause side effects like “caffeine crashes” or jitters.

Overall, emerging research suggests L-THEANINE can SIGNIFICANTLY HELP IMPROVE mental health and sleep.

Drinking one can provide stress relief and relaxation all in one fuss-free beverage!

Pairing and Timing:

Exactly WHEN AND HOW you consume L-THEANINE can influence its effects. Some ways to maximize the BENEFITS include:

  • Pair L-theanine drinks with coffee. The COMBINATION HELPS INCREASE alertness while reducing anxiety better than either alone.
  • Drink 1-2 hours before bed. Consuming L-THEANINE earlier allows it to SUPPORT RELAXATION and IMPROVE SLEEP as bedtime nears.
  • Consider timing. Taking L-THEANINE in tandem with stress can help REDUCE STRESS AND ANXIETY by lowering cortisol levels.

However, responses vary, so EXPERIMENT WITH TIMING.

Additional research on long-term cognitive effects is also needed since most studies use it short-term.

Proper pairing and timing can help L-theanine live up to its POTENTIAL.

Sources of L-Theanine

L-Theanine Drinks 2

The top dietary sources of L-THEANINE include (2):

  • Green TEA – Contains about 30mg per 8oz cup on average. Try matcha powder too.
  • Black TEA – Provides smaller amounts around 5-10mg per cup compared to green.
  • White TEA – Another good plant source with 20mg per cup.

While tea is the best natural source, THOSE NOT DRINKING MUCH TEA daily may consider an L-THEANINE supplement.

Choose ones containing at least 100mg per serving for mental benefits.

Both supplements and foods containing L-THEANINE support relaxation as part of a HEALTHY lifestyle.

Usage and Benefits

L-THEANINE supplements are often recommended as a NATURAL WAY to help with stress, anxiety, and sleep issues.

Some potential benefits include:

Relief from Anxiety and Stress

Emerging evidence suggests L-THEANINE MAY HELP REDUCE ANXIETY and lower stress levels.

A Japanese study in over 1,800 people found daily green tea consumption (high in L-theanine) reduced risks of depression and anxiety later in life.

Promotion of Relaxation and Focus

L-Theanine Drinks 3

The pleasant relaxed state induced CONCENTRATION AND BRAIN FUNCTION.

L-theanine has tripled patents filed since 2018 according to the WHO based on its nootropic properties.

Improvements to Sleep Quality

Research involving healthy adults shows L-THEANINE INCREASES Alpha BRAIN WAVES important for relaxation while also promoting deeper REM sleep vital for restoration overnight.

Doses around 100-200mg before bed may help fall asleep faster for some individuals.

Potential Impact on Brain Function

How exactly L-THEANINE WORKS IN THE BRAIN is still under investigation.

More long-term human trials are needed to fully understand its cognitive effects and benefits for brain-related conditions like Alzheimer’s disease.

Overall, emerging evidence hints at wide-ranging effects through interaction with neurotransmitters.

Proper research is key to substantiating these BENEFITS.

Future studies will provide deeper insight into L-theanine’s range of potential mental health applications for reducing stress, anxiety, depression, and more.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does L-theanine compare to other relaxation supplements?

L-theanine has an advantage over other supplements in that it is natural found in tea leaves.

It works synergistically with caffeine to promote relaxation without drowsiness.

Other herbs like valerian or supplement like magnesium work differently, so it depends on individual needs and responses.

Can L-theanine cause side effects?

At recommended doses, L-theanine is generally well tolerated with few to no side effects.

Some people report mild drowsiness or gastrointestinal issues at very high doses.

As always, check with your doctor before starting any new supplement, especially if you take other medications.

When will I feel the effects?

Most people feel the calming effects of L-theanine within 45 minutes after consumption.

The relaxation lasts a few hours.

Effects may be more noticeable when combined with caffeine or when under stress.

It works subtly so don’t expect a drastic change in mood.

Is L-theanine addiction possible?

No, there is no risk of dependency or withdrawal issues with L-theanine even with long-term daily use.

As an amino acid found in tea, our bodies are designed to safely process it through the kidneys without strain.

Use as needed for benefits rather than out of habit to avoid unnecessary costs.

Conclusion

In conclusion, L-THEANINE DRINKS provide many potential BENEFITS like improved sleep, reduced stress and anxiety.

With how busy modern life has become, finding NATURAL PRODUCTS that support relaxation and focus is important.

While more research is still needed, emerging studies have shown how L-THEANINE may positively impact brain function and mental well-being.

For anyone experiencing stress or having trouble UNWINDING at night, L-theanine drinks may help provide relief.

Why not give them a try? I’d love to hear your experiences in the comments below.

References

  1. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/324120#:~:text=L%2Dtheanine%20is%20a%20compound,focus%20and%20better%20sleep%20quality.
  2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4787341/

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