Theanine

Theanine is an amino acid found primarily in green tea and certain types of mushrooms. It is known for its calming effects and is often used as a supplement for stress relief and improved sleep quality.

Overview

Theanine, also known as L-Theanine, is an amino acid that is not common in the diet (not one of the essential amino acids or even one of the common nonessential amino acids). It has a chemical structure very similar to glutamate, a naturally occurring amino acid in the body that helps transmit nerve impulses in the brain. Some of the effects of theanine appear to be similar to glutamate, and some effects seem to block glutamate.

Sources

Theanine is found primarily in plant and fungal species. It was discovered as a constituent of green tea in 1949 and in 1950 a laboratory in Kyoto, Japan isolated it from gyokuro leaf, which has high theanine content. Theanine is substantially present in black, green, and white teas from Camellia sinensis in quantities of about 1% of the dry weight.

Effects

Theanine has been studied for its potential ability to reduce mental and physical stress, improve cognition, and boost mood and cognitive performance in a synergistic manner with caffeine.

See Also

• Green tea
• Gyokuro
• Glutamate
• Amino acid

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