Brain Benefits of L-Theanine and Theobromine
People often associate tea with caffeine. It is a potent stimulant that you can also find in coffee and soft drinks. Caffeine has been linked with providing you a boost to wake you up in the morning and make you more alert. However, there are more stimulants found in tea that provide unique benefits for your brain.
L-Theanine and Theobromine are very useful naturally occurring compounds found in tea, and both of them can be helpful for your brain. We will discuss the effects of both these stimulants on your brain.
Brain Benefits of L-Theanine
L-theanine is an amino acid found commonly in green tea. It has been observed to have several effects on your body that can induce a state of calmness while improving your alertness
It improves cognitive function and protects brain cells
Stress has a negative effect on a person's ability to think clearly and make better decisions. Prolonged periods of stress can significantly deteriorate cognitive function and cause other health-related problems. L-theanine protects your brain by reducing the negative impact of stress. Additionally, its protective properties also suggest its ability to fend off several stress-related neurodegenerative conditions like ALS, Huntington’s disease, and Parkinson's.
It can reduce the impact of a stroke on your brain
A stroke is a result of a sudden blockage of blood to a part of your brain that can possibly cause death. L-theanine improves the production of nitric oxide, lowering the risk of strokes. A study published in 2015 showed that L-theanine has properties that can prevent strokes and reduce the damage caused by strokes when they do occur.
Brain Benefits of Theobromine
Theobromine is another compound found in tea and cocoa beans that can benefit your overall health and indirectly promote better brain health.
It has the potential for improving cognitive function
A 30-patient study observed the effects of drinks containing varying levels of theobromine on the participants. The study observed improved performance in mental tasks and a reduction in mental fatigue for the participants.
It can improve your sleep quality
A survey consisting of over 5,000 subjects found that supplements containing theobromine contributed to improving their quality of sleep and helping them sleep for longer compared to other foods. A study found that cocoa can result in more restful sleep compared to other foods that contain caffeine because cocoa has a higher concentration of theobromine and lower caffeine content. An improvement in your sleep quality can indirectly result in better brain health by allowing it more time to relax and heal.
Final Thoughts
People who are too sensitive to the high amounts of caffeine in coffee often resort to tea for its helpful effects on the brain. Many people rely on caffeinated drinks for their high caffeine content and often disregard other essential compounds found in these beverages.
The consumption of tea and green tea can be beneficial for your brain health due to the effects of L-theanine and theobromine.
