Green tea is a superfood known by the Chinese for traditional use and in research for its amazing health benefits including its antioxidant potential. Tea leaves and the flowers are dried and steep in hot water to gain the flavor and health value bioactives from the green tea solids. The Chinese herbalists have valued the healing effects of drinking the tea as well as taking it in supplement form. For thousands of years, the tea has been part of a daily routine of consumption for health benefits, but also for relaxation.
One of the secret weapon bioactives in green tea is an amino acid called L theanine. It is found in tea leaves and has been shown to have a calming effect. Research confirms its role in promoting cognitive and cardiovascular health. It also provides cellular support and aids immune function. Herbal bioactives such as L theanine have a positive effect on age related genes.
Research indicates that age related genes are responsible for controlling the aging process by stimulating the resistance to stress (Villeponteau B et al, 2015).. The journey down the aging path can be changed and slowed down by effective changes.
Age related genes improve stress resistance pathways which include the following (Villeponteau B et al, 2015):
- Environmental issues heat stress
- Oxidative stress starvation
- Extreme activation of neuronal activity
Herbal extracts, which include L theanine have been shown to influence genes that respond to stress, chromosomal telomeres, MTOR inhibition and antioxidant pathways.
L theanine has been studied observing that it has different cognitive value possibly because it looks like glutamate.
- Glutamate is a brain neurotransmitter that binds to neuron GABA receptors and influences memory.
L theanine was shown that it crosses the blood brain barrier and helps prevent the negative effects of senescence (Unno K et al, 2011).
- Senescence is the process where cells breakdown causing physical and characteristic changes that can lead to cell death.
A study was performed evaluating if L theanine was able to extend the lifespan in an organism such as the Caenorhabditis elegans (Zarse K et al, 2012).
- Caenorhabditis elegans is a particular worm species. They are used in studies because they have certain tissues that have the same form and function as humans.
L-theanine demonstrated to increase the survival of the C. elegans, which were exposed to paraquat, a toxic agent that’s known to endlessly produce oxidative stress in the mitochondria. This showed the scientists that L theanine extends the C. elegans lifespan, which may promote increased longevity in humans.
Individuals with any medical conditions and/or take medication should check with their health care practitioner prior to taking any dietary supplements.
In summary, green tea is a superfood known by the Chinese for its amazing health benefits including its antioxidant properties. One of green tea’s secret weapon bioactives is an amino acid called L theanine. Research demonstrates that L theanine helps with cognitive, cardiovascular and cellular health. It has been shown in a study using the organism, Caenorhabditis elegans to extend its lifespan. L theanine is a special compound that will be investigated further in research because of its value.
This article is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. It is not for advertising purposes.
