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Theanine

Background

  • Theanine is an amino acid found naturally in tea. Besides caffeine, theanine has been identified as a major component of tea. While younger and fresher tea leaves tend to be richer in caffeine, older leaves tend to have higher theanine levels; furthermore, the withering process of tea production also increases theanine content.
  • Some evidence suggests that theanine affects mental performance and reduces blood pressure. Research has examined the cognitive effects of this substance alone and when combined with caffeine.

References

  1. Bryan J. Psychological effects of dietary components of tea: caffeine and L-theanine. Nutr Rev 2008;66(2):82-90. View Abstract
  2. Cooper R, Morre DJ, Morre DM. Medicinal benefits of green tea: Part I. Review of noncancer health benefits. J Altern Complement Med 2005;11(3):521-528. View Abstract
  3. Dimpfel W, Kler A, Kriesl E, et al. Source density analysis of the human EEG after ingestion of a drink containing decaffeinated extract of green tea enriched with L-theanine and theogallin. Nutr Neurosci 2007;10(3-4):169-180. View Abstract
  4. Friedman M, Mackey BE, Kim HJ, et al. Structure-activity relationships of tea compounds against human cancer cells. J Agric Food Chem 2007;55(2):243-253. View Abstract
  5. Gomez-Ramirez M, Higgins BA, Rycroft JA, et al. The deployment of intersensory selective attention: a high-density electrical mapping study of the effects of theanine. Clin Neuropharmacol 2007;30(1):25-38. View Abstract
  6. Haskell CF, Kennedy DO, Milne AL, et al. The effects of L-theanine, caffeine and their combination on cognition and mood. Biol Psychol 2008;77(2):113-122. View Abstract
  7. Kakuda T. Neuroprotective effects of the green tea components theanine and catechins. Biol Pharm Bull 2002;25(12):1513-1518. View Abstract
  8. Kimura K, Ozeki M, Juneja LR, et al. L-Theanine reduces psychological and physiological stress responses. Biol Psychol 2007;74(1):39-45. View Abstract
  9. Lu K, Gray MA, Oliver C, et al. The acute effects of L-theanine in comparison with alprazolam on anticipatory anxiety in humans. Hum Psychopharmacol 2004;19(7):457-465. View Abstract
  10. Nathan PJ, Lu K, Gray M, et al. The neuropharmacology of L-theanine(N-ethyl-L-glutamine): a possible neuroprotective and cognitive enhancing agent. J Herb Pharmacother 2006;6(2):21-30. View Abstract
  11. Netsch MI, Gutmann H, Luescher S, et al. Inhibitory activity of a green tea extract and some of its constituents on multidrug resistance-associated protein 2 functionality. Planta Med 2005;71(2):135-141. View Abstract
  12. Nobre AC, Rao A, Owen GN . L-theanine, a natural constituent in tea, and its effect on mental state. Asia Pac J Clin Nutr 2008;17 Suppl 1:167-168. View Abstract
  13. Rogers PJ, Smith JE, Heatherley SV, et al. Time for tea: mood, blood pressure and cognitive performance effects of caffeine and theanine administered alone and together. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2008;195(4):569-577. View Abstract
  14. Sugiyama T, Sadzuka Y. Theanine and glutamate transporter inhibitors enhance the antitumor efficacy of chemotherapeutic agents. Biochim.Biophys.Acta 12-5-2003;1653(2):47-59. View Abstract
  15. Yamada T, Terashima T, Okubo T, et al. Effects of theanine, r-glutamylethylamide, on neurotransmitter release and its relationship with glutamic acid neurotransmission. Nutr Neurosci 2005;8(4):219-226. View Abstract
Disclaimer: This tool is intended for informational purposes only, and should not be interpreted as specific medical advice. Patients should consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making decisions about therapies and/or health conditions.