On your journey to stay cool, calm and collected—you might have come across L-theanine supplements. It’s commonly used because of its ability to support a restful and relaxed state. But how much do you really know about L-theanine? Here’s the low-down.
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What Is L-Theanine And Where Can I Find It?
L-theanine is a unique amino acid found naturally in tea. It’s the compound that gives tea its unique flavor and umami taste. The presence of L-theanine in tea leaves was first discovered by Japanese researchers in 1949.1 L-theanine is also found in some mushrooms, but other than that, it’s rare in nature. It is, however, commonly sold as an individual dietary supplement or as part of the formulation of other dietary supplements.
What Are The Benefits Of L-Theanine?
There’s a reason why—after water—tea is the most widely consumed beverage in the world. Clinical research is studying L-theanine for a variety of potential benefits, but it’s most commonly known for its ability to promote a sense of relaxation. In fact, people have been using L-theanine for its calming and relaxing benefits for thousands of years. Some women find it beneficial for its calming support for PMS. Others find its ability to promote a sense of relaxation helpful, especially as a way to cope with stress from everyday overwork and fatigue.
How Much L-Theanine Is Recommended?
Most clinical research uses between 100-400 mg L-theanine when evaluating its effectiveness. If you’re taking it as a dietary supplement, a common dose recommendation is 200 mg per day.
How Can I Get More L-Theanine?
If you’re a tea drinker, you’re likely getting some L-theanine in your diet. Exactly how much you’re getting, however, is difficult to determine. Research suggests that the average range is between 25-60 mg per 200 ml serving. That equates to anywhere from 30-72 mg for 1 cup of tea. Having a wide range makes it difficult to determine exactly how much you ingest from drinking tea alone. But if you don’t love tea, you can take a dietary supplement to get your L-theanine. You can find it as a single ingredient supplement, or you can get L-theanine formulated with other ingredients.
So if you could use a little extra Zen in your life—give L-theanine a try!
