L-theanine: Finding it’s Way Into an Energy Drink Near You.
L-theanine seems to be the new ingredient showing up many new drinks.
So what is this strange chemical and what does it do or should we say, supposedly do?
L-theanine is an amino acid that according to recent studies has shown to calm the brain to enhance concentration. This amino acid comes simply from tea leaves.
Tea has been known for centuries for it’s ability to relax its drinkers and many tea cultures (not the USA), have a tea before bed every night.
Manufacturers have just isolated this chemical, concentrated it, and now have begun putting it into energy drinks. They claim that it works well with caffeine because it eases the jitteriness that caffeine can cause with added concentration….. Sounds good to me….
Some of the drinks that have been touting this new ingredient are; Sobe Lifewater, Vitamin Water, Vib, Gatorade Tiger Focus, and Reed’s Natural Energy Elixir.
What do you think about this new energy with a dose of calm mixture?
6 Comments
With the caffeine level necessary to make me jittery or even get a “caffeine buzz” I don’t see it as a necessary ingredient, but having a mildly short attention span even without caffeine it might be nice.. Oh look a butterfly…
It sounds like a good idea, but I have a feeling most drinks aren’t going to add enough to cause a noticeable effect.
Redline should look into that. I would buy from them alot more if it made you want to do homework instead of punch holes in the wall. (yes, I know its an exercise supp.)
L-Theanine has also been shown to increase dopamine levels. Dopamine being the “pleasure chemical” increased dopamine could in theory cause an elevation of nor/adrenaline causing increased stimulation….as well as a pretty happy feeling.
Since theanine has an inhibiting effect on caffeine, it seems silly to combine the two.
I think it would be good to see some relaxation drinks on the shelf.
I’ve used a supplement of L-theanine for about a year now. In large enough doses it acts more like a tranquilizer but that depends largely on what’s in your stomach at the time. Overall the effects feel more like a mild anti-depressant but it definitely calms me down a bit. I’ll support it.