Best Tea with Theanine and Tannins: Oolong and Black Tea
Theanine, a beneficial substance in tea, is attracting more attention because of its positive effects on anxiety. Also, it assists fighting against cancer and heart diseases as an antioxidant.
Recent research has proven that theanine has magnificent results for calming and sharpening the brain. Research with humans has still been limited, but studies have pointed the compound is strong in antianxiety effects. Patients typically describe effects as mild, but helpful. The soothing quality may also benefit those who aren’t necessarily anxious, but can’t relax the mind at night before sleep, and those with muscle tension in the neck.
Studies have shown that theanine may also have protective effects for the brain. Theanine helps protect nerve cells when blood flow decrease. Protection of brain cells could be an important factor that leads to anxiety, such as Alzheimer’s disease. Theanine, as a supplement, also can relieve anxiety brought on by treatment and actually complement some types of chemotherapy.
More medical research is being conducted to provide more evidence of theanine’s antianxiety benefits. It’s proven that theanine can aid those who have long medical history of heavier anxiety medications in the past.
Little research has been done on the effect of combining theanine with other antianxiety medications. Many patients have tolerated prescribed anxiety medications with additional theanine. It’s not suggested that patients on antianxiety medications stop any anxiety medicine without any professional guidance. Patients should let their physician know if they want to use theanine.
Theanine is indicated to help improve sleeping quality. Many people in urban areas are suffering from huge pressure, which might indirectly lead to sleeping problems. Theanine in tea helps relax the brain, and improve the length and depth of sleeping.
Another part of the body that theanine helps is the liver. Research has shown that theanine is a powerful antidote to the effects of alcohol. If theanine is taken before or after drinking alcohol, it helps lower blood levels of alcohol significantly.
Tea is a better source of getting theanine than medicine. Some patients experience a calming, relaxing effect just from enjoying a nice glass of tea throughout the day. Theanine in a glass of green tea is less than the concentrated extract in a capsule. Even with several servings, one could not get the same effect as 1-2 capsules of theanine a day. Therefore, tea lovers shouldn’t worry about over absorbing theanine.
Tannins
Similar to theanine, tannins has positive calming effects. Tannins are found not only in tea but also in many foods, such as cheeses and nuts, and in drinks such as wine. Tannins contribute to the bitter taste of tea. For some of us, the bitter taste of tannin is pleasurable. However, as always, people react differently to various food components, and for some, tannins cause headaches.
Tannins are touted as excellent antioxidants, promoted by the tea industry as well as wine and cheese makers. Catechin, one of polyphenols, is a type of tannin peculiar to tea. Several of these polyphenols are found to lower total cholesterol. They also seem to lower blood pressure, reduce the risk of getting cancer, stimulate the immune system, and have anti-bacterial properties. Many people living in urban areas are stressed, which results in series of pressure-related diseases. Some of them even suffer from depression. Tannins are proven to have positive effects on depression. It’s a huge discovery because depression is one of the most vital physiological diseases throughout the world.
Tea, which is rich in tannins, has also been shown to reduce the need for blood removal from people with iron overload, or hemochromatosis. Hemochromatosis arises from a genetic defect that allows uncontrolled absorption of iron. Iron overload is a major factor in congestive heart failure, a rapidly growing burden on the health care system, which leads to series of problems. In one study, drinking tea with meals and without lemon or milk was shown to be effective in preventing iron absorption. However, some studies also showed that deinking tea with milk or other ingredients might influence its medical effects.
Fresh tea contains more tannins than processed teas. The color of tea influences tannins, too. White tea, for example, has less tannins than black tea. Lightly fermented oolong tea, which is darker than white tea, is also a good source of tannins.