Medical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. However, scientists need to do more research to understand the specific interactions between these chemicals. It is possible that it makes doxorubicin more effective by increasing the amount of the drug in cancer cells. Some research on animals suggests that L-theanine may increase the effectiveness of a chemotherapy drug called doxorubicin. In turn, this may help lower blood pressure. L-theanine may help reduce stress, and a reduction in stress and increased relaxation can lower the heart rate.

Research has linked high blood pressure with a higher risk of several health problems, including heart attack and stroke. Its potential anti-inflammatory effects could also help fight illness. Several studies have suggested that taking L-theanine could boost a person’s immune system, making them less likely to get common colds or the flu. L-theanine may support the body in fighting off illness. Research suggests that umami flavors may reduce appetite, which often helps with weight loss. The L-theanine in green tea can create a savory taste, also known as umami flavor. Weight lossĪs part of a calorie-controlled diet, replacing a snack with green tea or another low-calorie hot beverage could aid weight loss. There is a need for more high-quality research to clarify the effects of this compound on people’s mental functions. However, not all research has found that L-theanine can improve people’s cognitive abilities. Caffeine is a stimulant, so it can help people stay alert and focused. In combination with caffeine, it may lead to improvements in their number skills and alertness. On its own, L-theanine may improve a person’s attention and reaction times. They noted that it seems to have neuroprotective effects, which improve brain function. In 2016, researchers reviewed the existing research on the benefits of L-theanine and concluded that this compound could benefit a person’s mental and physical health. Research suggests that the L-theanine in green or black tea may contribute to this feeling of relaxation by reducing a person’s resting heart rate. People often drink a cup of tea or another hot beverage to help them relax. The authors noted that there were no reported improvements in anxiety or insomnia severity.

The study participants had generalized anxiety disorder and were taking antidepressants. These benefits may result from the specific effects that the amino acid has on brain chemicals that play a role in sleep.Ī 2018 study found that people reported having greater sleep satisfaction after taking 450–900 mg of L-theanine daily for 8 weeks. Several studies have suggested that L-theanine could help people relax before bedtime, get to sleep more easily, and sleep more deeply. L-theanine may help people sleep more easily. More research is necessary to determine how L-theanine might affect a person’s attention and focus. Drinking 50 mg of caffeine or combining the L-theanine and caffeine also improved people’s focus. The researchers found that people who took 100 milligrams (mg) of L-theanine made fewer errors in an attention task than those in the placebo group. Many people drink black or green tea while at work, believing that it boosts their mental focus. The following sections discuss the existing evidence for the possible benefits of L-theanine.

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