Matcha green tea is taking the health and wellness world by storm. From clearer skin to better mental focus, matcha boasts quite a few benefits that would turn any wellness enthusiast’s head. So we decided to take a deeper look into the potential health boosts of matcha green tea, and what gives it the healing abilities that humans have used for centuries.
As it turns out there is a special component to matcha that has a diverse range of superpowers to help better your body and your mind. The unique properties of matcha come from a psychoactive amino acid known as L-theanine.
What is L-theanine?
Found in both green tea and black tea, as well as a few species of mushrooms, L-theanine is an amino acid that many believe helps to ease the stress and anxiety that can rob you of your sleep. Used in Traditional Chinese Medicine as a relaxing agent, matcha green tea has the power to both stimulate the mind and calm the nerves. This is the effect of L-theanine combined with the natural caffeine found in tea leaves.
In humans, L-theanine increases the formation of brain waves called alpha waves, which are associated with alert relaxation. This is the most likely explanation for the different, milder boost of brain activity that tea generates.
But these aren’t the only tricks this unique compound is hiding up its sleeve. Beneath the surface L-theanine has a deep well of health-boosting effects.
6 Benefits of L-theanine in Matcha Green Tea
Matcha green tea is considered one of the healthiest additions you can include in your daily routine. Thanks to the presence of L-theanine, it has the power to soothe your mind, improve heart health, protect from sickness, and boost brain function.
1. Relief from stress and anxiety
Research suggests that L-theanine can not only put your worried and overloaded thoughts at ease, but can achieve this relaxation without inducing drowsiness or sleepiness. Scientists found in a review of five randomized trials of 104 participants, four for those trials were able to link L-theanine with a reduction in anxiety levels during stressful situations.
L-theanine may also affect neurotransmitters in the brain, such as GABA and dopamine.
2. Increase in mental focus
Combining L-theanine with the natural caffeine of green tea may help your brain focus and increase attention. One study brought to light that the combination of 97 milligrams of L-theanine and 40 milligrams of caffeine given to a group of adults helped them focus better during demanding tasks. The participants in this study reported feeling more alert with less feelings of tiredness in general.
3. Boost of immunity
There is a handful of research that continues to suggest that L-theanine might help improve your body’s immune system and its functions. One study in particular found the possibility of L-theanine helping to reduce infections in the upper respiratory tract.
Another study also found that, when combined with other antioxidants found in green tea, L-theanine can also have an influence in protecting your body against the flu.
4. Assisting treatment of tumors and cancer
In studies of certain chemotherapy drugs combined with homeopathic remedies, L-theanine has shown promising association with increasing the anti-tumor effects of these drugs. It’s because of these results that scientists and researchers hope to find a link between L-theanine and the improvement of the cancer fighting abilities of chemotherapy. In fact, researchers found in one study that women with ovarian cancer who had at least one cup of green tea each day lived longer than those who didn’t.
Researchers also compared non tea drinkers to those who do and found that women who drink green tea had a 32 percent lower chance of developing pancreatic cancer
5. Blood pressure management
Several studies suggest L-theanine may provide benefits for individuals with stress-induced high blood pressure. For instance, those who performed specific mental tasks and then experienced high blood pressure reported a reduction in their blood pressure levels after consuming L-theanine.
6. Better sleep quality
The link between L-theanine and low blood pressure is due to some research indicating L-theanine could promote relaxation and possibly a good night's sleep. Scientists learned that 250 to 400 milligrams of L-theanine massively improves sleep in both animals and humans. 200 milligrams showed to help reduce the resting heart rate, adding to the belief of its ability to promote relaxation in humans. What’s more, L-theanine has the possibility to help those diagnosed with ADHD sleep better as well.
Magic Matcha Mylkshake
OWL’s Magic Matcha Mylkshake is the perfect way to wake up in the morning. Our matcha powder is produced using certified organic matcha and contains 36 milligrams of caffeine, and 3.9 milligrams of L-theanine per serving. Our matcha green tea leaves also contain detoxifying properties that naturally eliminate chemicals and heavy metals from the body.
Along with our organic matcha powder filled with antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and detoxifying properties this shake also includes plantains, hemp hearts, cinnamon, spirulina, and bentonite clay. Our blend of the focusing and calming powers of matcha with the healing powers of gut-friendly ingredients, helps you start your day with a small boost of clean caffeine that can alter the mood of your entire day.
A clear and calm mind can result in a healthy, happy gut. A healthy gut, plus the clear and relaxing benefits of L-theanine found in our matcha shake means you can move through your day with purpose and energy.
Julie Weller
Julie is a self-made writer on a forever journey of fitness and health. As a high school music teacher, she has seen and experienced the challenges of maintaining good health while simultaneously balancing a career and healthy relationships.
Julie has always lived a healthy and active lifestyle. She loves the outdoors, hiking, and camping. Over the years she has continued to learn smarter and better ways to take care of her body while continuing to do the things that make her smile. Naturally, all of her teacher friends wanted to know how she did it - what was her secret?
Julie found herself explaining over and over everything she'd learned in her research, and sharing her experiences through trial and error. Her friends would take her advice, try some new things, and then come back to ask how to take it to the next level.
"You should charge for this kind of information!" Became a constant phrase, and so began her career of writing to share her knowledge with the world through health and wellness companies looking to spread healing and healthy habits within their communities. Now Julie gets to combine two of the things she enjoys most - writing and wellness - and use them to affect change in a real way.
When not making music with her kiddos, or writing wellness tips for a higher quality of life, you can find her reading, hiking, drumming, and fitnessing