Theanine, an amino acid found in green tea leaves, helps you relax and keep stress at bay. According to researchers, theanine also helps to reduce anxiety.
Researchers have found, for instance, that drinking tea lowers levels of the stress hormone cortisol. And evidence of long-term health benefits is emerging, too: drinking at least 100 millilitres (about half a cup) of green tea a day seems to lower the risk of developing depression and dementia.
Green tea has potent antioxidant activities in vivo [3] and may thus confer protection against depression by decreasing oxidative stress [4]. Moreover, green tea catechins have been shown to exert anti-inflammatory actions [5] and to lower depression [6].
People with peptic ulcers or acid reflux should not consume green tea excessively. A 1984 study concluded that tea is a potent stimulant of gastric acid, which can be reduced by adding milk and sugar. 2.
Both are also associated with a decreased risk of certain diseases. However, people with anxiety, insomnia, and panic disorders should consider choosing green tea over coffee due to its lower caffeine content and because it contains L-theanine — an amino acid that promotes a state of calm alertness ( 53 , 54).
Green tea, in particular, has been shown to help individuals relax and concentrate more fully on tasks, without the jittery feeling that coffee can bring. Theanine has also been tested in the treatment of schizophrenia with some success in reducing anxiety and other symptoms. Tea can improve cognition and memory.
A 2013 animal study suggested that green tea consumption increases dopamine and serotonin, which have been linked to reducing symptoms of depression.
The antioxidants in green tea extract, especially EGCG, have been shown to protect brain cells from oxidative stress ( 13 ). This protection can help reduce brain damage that could lead to mental decline and brain diseases like Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, and dementia ( 13 , 14 , 15 ).
Green tea contains the amino acid l-theanine which increases not only serotonin, but levels of dopamine and gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the brain. Green tea also contains the polyphenol epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), which is a powerful antioxidant that acts to protect the brain from oxidative damage.
A big event or a buildup of smaller stressful life situations may trigger excessive anxiety — for example, a death in the family, work stress or ongoing worry about finances. Personality. People with certain personality types are more prone to anxiety disorders than others are.
Anxiety can be caused by a variety of things: stress, genetics, brain chemistry, traumatic events, or environmental factors. Symptoms can be reduced with anti-anxiety medication. But even with medication, people may still experience some anxiety or even panic attacks.
Know When to Seek Help
If your anxiety, or the anxiety of a loved one, starts to cause problems in everyday life—such as at school, at work, or with friends and family—it's time to seek professional help. Talk to a health care provider about your mental health.
Green tea contains small amounts of vitamin K. This means it may decrease how well blood thinner medicines work. Since green tea acts as a mild stimulant, you shouldn't use it with other stimulants. It may change the effects of other medicines.
An anxiety disorder can be caused by multiple factors, such as genetics, environmental stressors and medical conditions. New research also indicates that chronic anxiety symptoms that will not go away can be due to an autoimmune response, triggered by common infections.
The belief that being alone will help you reduce your stress. This is an incredibly common belief, and one that all evidence shows is completely wrong. The lack of enjoyment they get going out and spending time with others as a result of their anxiety.
In addition to this, green tea is a source of the amino acid L-theanine, which has a relaxing effect; it does this by increasing mood-enhancing brain chemicals including GABA, dopamine and serotonin. The beneficial polyphenols of green tea may also help slow the effects of aging on the brain.
Green tea is high in L-theanine, an amino acid that might reduce anxiety. One 2017 study found that students who drank green tea experienced consistently lower levels of stress than students in the placebo group.
According to the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, green tea contains many mood-boosting nutrients including the amino acid L-theanine, which has been linked to reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety.
The Bottom Line. Green tea is packed full of health-promoting compounds. Regularly drinking green tea can help you lose weight and reduce your risk of several diseases, including diabetes, heart disease and cancer. Drinking three to five cups of green tea per day seems to be optimal to reap the most health benefits.
Different types of green tea, such as Matcha and Gyokuro green tea, have been studied to have large, natural concentrations of l-theanine and caffeine, which have the potential to work together to reduce stress and clear up brain fog.