Sleep is vital to the health of the human body. It is the key to restoring vitality and the health of the body. Research has shown that lack of sleep can lead to chronic diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, obesity and depression. Due to the influence of personal physical, physiological, psychological and environmental factors, many people currently have a state of "the more you want to sleep, the more you lose sleep." This is a normal physiological routine, but at this stage it is hopeless to have a good sleep.
Some people choose some drugs to help with sleep, but from a long-term safety perspective, these sleep inducers and sedatives will have some dependence, and produce some such as lethargy, alertness and attention loss, as well as depression and loneliness [1] , 2] and other side effects. In fact, some food ingredients can also alleviate the symptoms of insomnia, and it is greener, safer and healthier. For example, theanine in tea is an important sleep aid.
The caffeine content in tea is almost equal to coffee, but most coffee has a stimulating effect, while tea has a calming effect. Theanine, an amino acid abundantly present in tea leaves, is known as an active ingredient that induces this sedative effect.
Theanine is produced by an enzymatic fermentation process, and the absorbed theanine is transported to multiple organs of the body and can enter the brain through the leucine transport system across the blood-brain barrier [3]. Theanine can significantly increase dopamine in brain cells, and dopamine is a precursor of adrenaline and norepinephrine. It is an important substance that conveys the excitability of brain nerve cells, and its release greatly affects people's emotions. At the same time, by using serotonin (5-tryptamine) metabolic inhibitors, it was found that after taking theanine, the content of tryptophan in the brain increased or increased, but the serotonin content decreased. The influence of theanine on the synthesis and decomposition of serotonin in the brain also affects human emotions [4]. Therefore, within 30 minutes after oral administration of theanine, the human body produces a sign of a relaxed but alert mental state.
Some studies have shown that it has a variety of pharmacological effects, including reducing spontaneous hypertension and relieving caffeine-induced convulsions and sleep disorders [5]. In addition, it can also reduce male physical stress, inhibit anxiety and stress in women's premenstrual period, and anxiety levels in men and women [6].
It is widely believed that if a person is relaxed before going to bed, they can easily go to sleep and experience good or deep sleep. Theanine not only promotes the inhibition of neuronal activity, but also inhibits the activity of excited neurons in the brain to improve sleep quality. Based on this information, theanine can be considered a good help to improve sleep. And theanine does not cause sleepiness during the day, so it can be used at any time of the day.
References:
[1] Stone J R, Zorick T S , Tsuang J . Dose-related illusions and hallucinations withzaleplon[J]. Clinical Toxicology, 2008, 46(4):2.
[2] Toner L C, Tsambiras B M, Catalano G, et al.Central nervous system side effects associated with zolpidem treatment.[J].Clinical Neuropharmacology, 1999, 23(1):54.
[3] Yokogoshi H . Effect of theanine, γ-glutamylethylamide, on brainmonoamines and striatal dopamine release in conscious rats[J]. Neurochem. Res.1998, 23(5):667-673.
[4] Zhu Song, Wang Hongxin. Physiological Function of Theanine and Its Application in Food[J]. FOOD RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT,2005, 26(3):18-20.
[5] Jang H S , Jung J Y , Jang I S , et al. L-theanine partially counteractscaffeine-induced sleep disturbances in rats[J]. Pharmacology Biochemistry andBehavior, 2012, 101(2):217-221.
[6] Kimura K ,Ozeki M , Juneja L R , et al. l-Theanine reduces psychological andphysiological stress responses[J]. Biological Psychology, 2007, 74(1):0-45.
