Should You Be Taking L-Theanine?
People looking to relax and get a better night’s sleep often turn to L-theanine to help them achieve this goal. In addition to improving sleep quality, this substance provides several health benefits. Green tea is an excellent source of L-theanine, but many individuals today choose to use supplements to take it in. What should a person know when determining whether L-theanine is right for their needs?
What is L-theanine?
Humans don’t need L-theanine. The body doesn’t naturally produce this amino acid, so a person can survive without it. However, many people consume it when drinking tea and find it helps them in various ways. Researchers believe this amino acid affects chemicals in the brain such as dopamine, cortisol, and serotonin. What benefits might a person see when using a patented form of L-theanine, Suntheanine?
Improved Focus
Many people turn to tea when they want to boost their mental focus. Individuals taking 100 milligrams of L-theanine scored better on an attention task than those not taking the substance. Combining this amino acid with caffeine also helps to improve their focus.
Better Sleep
People who take L-theanine often find their sleep quality improves. The amino acid helps them relax and drift off sooner. A study found that men and women taking 450 to 900 mg of L-theanine daily for eight weeks reported better sleep satisfaction.
Relaxation Benefits
A person doesn’t need to wait until bedtime to see the benefits of L-theanine. They can take a supplement or drink tea to relax and unwind. The amino acid helps reduce their resting heart rate.
Better Cognitive Performance
Researchers believe taking L-theanine could improve a person’s mental and physical health. They think it may have neuroprotective qualities and boost the user’s attention and reaction times. As previously mentioned, combining the L-theanine with caffeine appears to amplify the effects.
Lose Weight
Men and women looking to lose weight should drink green tea. The savory taste may help reduce their appetite. When a person isn’t hungry, they don’t eat as much, and this helps take unwanted pounds off.
Stronger Immune System
Experts believe L-theanine can help a person fight off illness. It does so by boosting the immune system. In addition, L-theanine comes with anti-inflammatory effects, which are of benefit when fighting off an illness.
Lower Blood Pressure
High blood pressure can bring about many health problems. L-theanine reduces stress, which can play a role in high blood pressure. When taking this supplement, a person sees their heart rate drop, which may help bring their blood pressure down.
Will Every Person Benefit From L-Theanine Supplements?
A person should never begin taking supplements without speaking to their doctor. Most people can take L-theanine with no worries, but it will interact with certain medications. These medications include high blood pressure drugs and supplements designed to lower blood pressure. Men and women taking prescribed stimulants like those used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder must talk with their doctor before supplementing with L-theanine, and the same holds for men and women using supplements with caffeine. Furthermore, pregnant and breastfeeding women should not take supplements containing this amino acid.
Many men and women today state they see noticeable benefits when using L-theanine supplements. While researchers cannot confirm all benefits shared by users, they do believe that L-theanine supplementation can help a person relax and get better sleep. As this supplement is safe for most individuals, every person should speak to their doctor and give it a try when they get the go-ahead. They have nothing to lose and many benefits to gain.
