L-theanine is an important amino acid that is contained in Matcha, it’s not mentioned very much so let’s talk about it a little bit more in detail and what some of the other benefits and risks there are from taking it.
L-theanine is an amino acid that affects nerve impulses in the brain and releases neurotransmitters which can be beneficial because it gives you a calm feeling without feeling tired or drowsy. You can’t find this amino acid in a lot of foods because it’s not used to form proteins, it mostly comes from many forms of a tea, but you can find L-theanine supplements to take as well that would be beneficial if you suffer from anxiety or sleep disorders.
“L-theanine is considered a non-dietary, non-essential amino acid because even though it has certain benefits, we don’t require it from our diets.”
It can help to treat some of these conditions below.
- Poor attention span
- High blood pressure
- Schizophrenia
- Insomnia
- anxiety
A common question is L-theanine the same thing as caffeine, the answer is actually no. They are different but both are found in Matcha green tea, L-theanine helps you to feel calm, where caffeine helps you to be alert so together they complement one another and some studies have shown that L-theanine and caffeine together improve cognition and mood when used correctly.
Risks of L-theanine: Be Aware
Studies have shown that L-theanine is most safe when taken short-term, rather than long-term. Don’t take it for longer than 16 weeks. You need to be careful when taking certain medications with it as well. Always check with your Dr before using to make sure. It mostly interacts with stimulants and medications to control high blood pressure.
“Because there hasn’t been much research done focusing on safety of L-theanine supplementation during pregnancy, it’s best for pregnant women to avoid taking L-theanine (although drinking one to two cups of green tea during pregnancy is considered safe for most women).”
https://draxe.com/l-theanine/