How matcha can work against stress and anxiety!
Matcha is one of the most popular tea drinks around the world, but did you know that matcha has been one of the most important drinks for Japanese Zen monks for over 800 years? Monks have long used matcha for relieving anxiety and for numerous other health benefits, including achieving high concentration while remaining in a relaxed state.
Matcha for Stress: What's the Secret?
Matcha's key anti-stress ingredient is L-theanine, an amino acid found predominantly in Camellia sinensis, the green tea plant from which Matcha is made. As research shows, the amount of L-theanine in tea for stress relief depends on two things: the supply of nitrogen taken up by the roots of tea plants and the cultivation process they go through to become matcha powder.
To preserve matcha's unique taste, bright green color and myriad benefits, the green tea plants are covered in the shade for several weeks prior to harvest. This process not only maintains matcha's high L-theanine content, but also helps boost matcha's anti-anxiety properties.
The perfect balance between L-Theanine and caffeine
Although matcha contains a high amount of caffeine, matcha won't give you the jitters that coffee does, for example. On the contrary, matcha reduces anxiety due to its high L-theanine content. This amino acid reduces the stimulating effects of caffeine on the nervous system, creating an energetic and focused state.
Matcha & Fear
To understand why matcha works as a stress reliever tea and coffee doesn't, we need to take a closer look at how matcha's antioxidants affect brain dynamics. Studies suggest that high doses of this amino acid could affect the secretion and function of neurotransmitters in the central nervous system. They argue that L-theanine can increase dopamine release and promote levels of serotonin, which lowers stress and anxiety.
Further research shows that L-Theanine stimulates alpha wave activity in the brain within 30 or 40 minutes of ingestion. This promotes a state of deep relaxation and mental alertness. Knowing that matcha is high in L-theanine also explains why matcha reduces anxiety and stress without making you feel sleepy or light-headed.
With that in mind, it's no wonder that L-theanine products and tea for stress relief are becoming increasingly popular.
CREDENTIALS:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6213777/
https://www.academia.edu/29376191/l-Theanine_reduces_psychological_and_physiological_stress_responses?auto=download
https://apjcn.nhri.org.tw/server/APJCN/17%20Suppl%201/167.pdf
https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/pdf/10.1089/10762800151125092
