L-Theanine Latte is the new mushroom coffee, and luckily it tastes much better. In Los Angeles, the Volt Energy Drink on the menu at influencer hotspot Alfred Coffee contains amino acids combined with biotin and B vitamins. You’ll find it in the Iced Functional Latte at Beyond Juicery+Eatery (located in 48 states).
And it doesn’t just show up in lattes. L-Theanine is a core ingredient in NA drinks such as Tripp (carried on at Whole Foods everywhere), Recess’s Adaptogenic Mood Beverage, and Hiyo Social Tonic.
Why the sudden obsession? And more importantly, is it worth the hype? We spoke to a functional medicine doctor to find out.
What is L-theanine?
L-theanine is a non-protein amino acid found naturally in green tea, black tea, and oolong tea, says Joshua Quinones, M.D., an internist at Manhattan Medical Center and a contributor to LabFinder. It acts as an antioxidant in the body and reduces inflammation. “It’s well known for its calming yet alertness-enhancing effects,” says Dr. Quinones.
If you’re a matcha drinker, you’ve probably experienced this firsthand. The caffeine in green tea makes you feel alert, but it’s the L-theanine that prevents you from feeling jittery like espresso or coffee. That’s exactly why it’s added to coffee drinks, says Dr. Sunja Schweig, a functional medicine physician at the California Center for Functional Medicine. You can also order coffee instead of matcha and experience a similar sensation.
“This therapy is becoming increasingly popular as a way for people to calm their mind and improve focus without feeling sedated,” says Jennifer Timmons, M.D., a functional medicine doctor and medical director of Timmons Wellness. L-theanine does this by affecting several neurotransmitter systems in the brain, including the GABA, dopamine, and serotonin systems. “It also increases so-called alpha brain wave activity, which is associated with an alert and relaxed state of mind,” says Dr. Timmons. “So instead of feeling sleepy and relaxed, you’re actually alert and relaxed. It also has a direct effect on cortisol, lowering cortisol levels, so you feel more relaxed as well.”
According to the doctors we spoke to, L-theanine’s calming effects are what makes it a popular ingredient in non-alcoholic drinks. If you have trouble sleeping because of anxiety or quick thinking, you may benefit from taking an L-theanine supplement, which lowers cortisol.
Dr. Jeffrey Brand, a longevity expert and biochemist at Big Bold Health, said that although L-theanine is not considered a sedative, several clinical studies have shown that it can help you fall asleep faster when taken 30 to 60 minutes before bed. Additionally, a 2022 study found that; Frontiers of nutrition It has been found that supplementing with L-theanine improves sleep quality. Researchers explain that this is done by reducing overstimulation in the brain that can interfere with sleep.
Why is L-theanine so popular? now?After all, anxiety and sleep problems are nothing new.? Dr. Brian Anderson, a functional medicine doctor and founder of the Anderson Longevity Clinic, says this is due to increased interest in brain health. “Optimizing brain health is one of the hottest trends in longevity-based healthcare right now, and L-theanine capitalizes on this trend and is readily available,” he says.
Dr. Schweig added that the pursuit of a better night’s sleep also plays a big role in the supplement’s popularity. “People are really stressed out and not sleeping well. If you ask ChatGPT or any other AI tool what can help, you’ll probably find that as a solution,” he says.
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