06 Jul What Does L Theanine Do with Caffeine? Benefits of Using Together
Some things are just made for each other. Just like bread and butter and salt and pepper. While both of them are just fine separately, when they come together, their effect enhances the better qualities of each other.
The same effect can be witnessed with alkaloids and amino acids (caffeine and l-theanine). The match made in Heaven has a better beginning and magical endings than most of Shakespeare’s love stories.
Well, a lot of us consume caffeine to stay focused, alert, and productive.
In fact, it is most of the corporate elite’s go-to stress-buster. And there’s nothing wrong with that unless you get a caffeine crash, feel an increased heart rate and experience jitters.
But comes to your rescue is an amino acid extract from the leaves of a tea plant, camellias sinensis i.e., L-theanine.
It is scientifically proven that L-theanine and caffeine benefit each other when consumed together in a certain ratio.
To understand it better, let’s elaborate what does L theanine do with caffeine.
L-Theanine and Caffeine Benefits
Before we delve deep into how L theanine work with caffeine, we should go through the individual benefits of L theanine and caffeine first.
Benefits of L-Theanine
L-Theanine is a non-protein amino acid naturally found in green and black tea.
Reports suggest it was a wide range of health benefits and this makes it a common ingredient in many nootropics and weight loss supplements.
Some of the proven health benefits of L-Theanine consumption are:
- It has a calming effect on the body and mind, making it a prevalent remedy for anxiety and hyperactivity.
- As it reduces stress and anxiety, L-Theanine has a positive effect on sleep quality.
- It can protect from neurodegenerative disorders by preventing the excessive glutamate stimulation of brain cells.
- L-Theanine is found to prevent spikes in blood pressure and can thus support cardiovascular health.
- By stimulating the production of GABA, it reduces the risk of depression, changes in appetite, and lack of motivation.
L-theanine is not naturally found in many food sources and therefore, most people are unable to consume enough of it.
Benefits of Caffeine
Caffeine is the modern people’s magic potion to stay alert and productive. In fact, each day billions of people rely on caffeine sources to wake up or slay the night shifts.
This natural stimulant despite being at the center of numerous controversies about its adverse effects, is still used in many medications for its health benefits.
Some of the widely popular benefits of consuming caffeine are:
- Caffeine can boost weight loss by temporarily suppressing the appetite and stimulating thermogenesis.
- Caffeine is also proven to improve mental alertness, focus, and problem-solving skills.
- It has the ability to improve physical performance and athleticism by improving endurance capacity while doing endurance exercises.
- As per research, caffeine consumption in the long term can reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.
- Caffeine consumption can also reduce the risk of cirrhosis and decreases its rate of progression into hepatitis C infection.
- Caffeine is also found to affect different types of cancer.
Read – Effects of Coffee on the Brain >>
Millions of people consume caffeine in numerous ways and the most common one is coffee. Around 64% of Americans reported drinking at least 1 cup of coffee every day. Apart from this, other sources of caffeine include chocolate, energy drinks, supplements and drugs, and food sources like sunflower seeds and green tea.
But have you ever thought about enhancing the effects of caffeine?
If not, then you should know; because there are enough l-theanine and caffeine studies that show what benefits the right ratio of L-Theanine and Caffeine delivers.
What Does L Theanine Do with Caffeine? [When Used Together]
L theanine and caffeine benefit the body individually in numerous ways that are scientifically backed.
However, it turns out, using the two components together creates a synergy that brings the best of both worlds. That is to say, you have a mental boost and productivity that is more long-lasting but without a caffeine rush.
Isn’t it a win-win situation? But it doesn’t end here. What does L-Theanine do with caffeine when mixed, gives some incredible experiences.
Here are some of the benefits of using L-Theanine and caffeine together.
#1. Reduces Harsh Effects of Caffeine
While consumption of caffeine is known to have adverse effects like jitters and caffeine crashes, L-Theanine actually counters those effects.
To understand what does L-Theanine do with caffeine, while the latter may make you feel more stressed mentally and physically, L-Theanine supplementation actually reduces stress levels.
For instance, as per the reports published in the Canadian Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology, combined consumption of Theanine and caffeine together exert similar cognitive effects to that of caffeine but exerts opposite effects on arousal. Notably, in such a case, L-Theanine mitigates and caffeine attenuates the psychological and felt stress responses.
#2. Improves Mood, Cognition, and Subjective Alertness
When combined together, the L-theanine caffeine synergy increases mood and overall cognition. As per the evidence published in the Journal of Food and Chemical Toxicology, caffeine constituents stimulate dopamine release.
This is probably one of the major reasons why people want to consume caffeine. Moreover, as per another piece of evidence, L-Theanine also promotes dopamine release.
But why do people want more dopamine?
Notable, a high dopamine level is associated with better cognition, higher motivation, and a faster learning process.
According to the reports published in Nutritional Neuroscience, 97 mg L-Theanine and 40 mg caffeine significantly improved the accuracy of switching between tasks and self-reported alertness.
This L-theanine and caffeine ratio is proven to help improve focus during demanding cognitive function.
#3. Releases More Brain Alpha Waves
Alpha brain waves relate to the state of wakeful relaxation or calm focus. As per the scientific evidence, caffeine consumption reduces alpha brain activity. That is to say, your brain finds it unable to calm down and focus.
However, combining L-Theanine with caffeine leads to a relaxed and non-anxious state. It is because L-Theanine is known to improve alpha wave activity.
The same is proven in the article published in The Journal of Nutrition. The study investigated the effects of L-Theanine and caffeine when ingested together and separately. A combination with L-Theanine, when a smaller dosage is ingested, works to enhance the Alpha band activity and attention task performance.
#4. Supports Balanced Neurotransmitters Levels
The combination of L-Theanine and caffeine benefits the neurotransmitters as well. As per a study published by Cureus, caffeine and L-Theanine, whether directly or indirectly, have been shown to affect neurotransmitters including dopamine, serotonin, glutamate, and GABA.
L-Theanine affects serotonin the feel-good hormone and also the GABA levels which are calmer mood, better sleep, and less anxiety.
What L-Theanine with caffeine combination is it balances the neurotransmitters to help you feel great.
#5. Triggers the Weight Loss Process
The L-theanine and caffeine benefits are not only limited to psychological boosts. The combination of L-Theanine and caffeine is also a power couple for weight loss.
While caffeine induces the process of thermogenesis, L-Theanine increases the ability to suppress appetite.
According to a comparative study report, the body weight and weight of intraperitoneal adipose tissues were significantly reduced by the diet containing catechins, caffeine, and theanine.
The concluding results of the study indicate that caffeine and theanine were responsible for the suppressive effect of Green Tea Powder (GTP) on body weight increase and fat accumulation.
The potential of caffeine and L-Theanine has prompted many manufacturers to include this combination in weight loss pills.
For instance, Instant Knockout, a fat burner originally made for MMA fighters, contains a synergistic blend of 300mg of caffeine and 100mg of L-theanine.
The innovative formula has led to some terrific Instant Knockout Results that you can check out if you’re on the lookout for a weight loss supplement that works.
Clearly, the L-theanine caffeine weight loss strategy works if applied in the right manner. While working together can be tricky and difficult, L-Theanine and caffeine combine to provide beneficial help.
Unlike other combinations, this L-Theanine and caffeine combo is well documented and is considered safe when consumed multiple times a day.
How to Take L-Theanine with Caffeine?
The easiest way to combine caffeine with L-Theanine is to take capsules. Adding to it, you can also consume the same in the form of tea and coffee.
A cup of brewed green tea contains about 30 mg of L-theanine and 60 mg of caffeine. A cup of coffee contains 95–200 mg of caffeine. So, make sure to follow the ratio to avoid excessive consumption.
In the case of capsules, try to consume them at least half an hour before you want to witness the effects.
It is to be kept in mind that the ratio of caffeine: to theanine should be 1:2.
Furthermore, as per the FDA, to combine L-Theanine with caffeine, one can safely consume 100mg-200 mg of L-Theanine and up to 400 mg of caffeine.
The L Theanine caffeine synergy seems too good to be true. While one gives a sudden upsurge of energy and cognitive boost but also influences the stress, the other just calms the nerves making the experience more mentally effective.
Before you start to brew your next coffee, here’s a little extra information you might want to know.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does L-Theanine do in combination with caffeine is great. But if you are trying to incorporate it into your life for all the benefits this combination delivers, better read these FAQs first.
#1. Does L theanine counteract caffeine?
No. L-Theanine does not counteract caffeine in a way that reduces the benefits of caffeine. To be precise, L-Theanine counteracts the adverse effects of caffeine consumption which include reversing the caffeine-induced slow-wave sleep and REM sleep. It also reverses the stress and hyperactivity effect of Caffeine and replaces it with calm focus.
#2. How long does caffeine last with L-theanine?
The combination of L-Theanine with caffeine will provide a cognitive boost and enhance overall mental performance for over 6 long hours.
#3. Can you take L-theanine and caffeine on an empty stomach?
Yes, you can take this combination on an empty stomach to aid the absorption rate. Notably, if you are consuming Theanine capsules make sure to take it 30 minutes before your morning coffee.
#4. How long does it take for L-theanine and caffeine to work?
Well, you don’t have to wait anymore. The combination starts to work as early as 30 minutes. You can expect to witness its noticeable effects in just half an hour of consuming it.
When you are falling out of sync, you can try this combo for immediate effects.
Final Note
Lacking cognitive performance, finding it hard to keep yourself calm often, or simply wanting to modify your mood; this combination has the ability to fulfill your caffeine requirement while also mitigating its side effects.
Once you delve more into it, you unlock several more L-theanine and caffeine benefits and how easily it becomes a part of your daily routine.
Numerous studies back this combination, but still it’s suggested to consult the professionals and let them know your health history before incorporating it.
So, what’s brewing coffee, l-theanine, or both?
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