A must-see for those who suffer from tension and stage fright! What is "theanine" that has a relaxing effect?

Introduction

Modern society is an environment where it is easy to become stressed due to work, human relationships, etc. Many people feel tension and pressure and are looking for peace of mind.

At times like these, tea can help calm your mind and give you a gentle embrace.

Among them, Gyokuro has a strong relaxing effect and is recommended for people who suffer from tension or stage fright.

What is theanine in tea?

In recent years, research into the ingredients contained in tea has progressed, and its effects have been attracting attention.

In particular, it is being scientifically proven that theanine, a type of amino acid that is found in tea leaves at about 2-3%, has a relaxing and stress-reducing effect.

Although tea contains caffeine, which has a stimulating effect, it is believed that the theanine has a major effect on the relaxation and calming effect when drinking tea.

It has been found that theanine increases alpha waves in the brain and promotes a relaxed state.

Alpha waves are the brain waves that occur when you are relaxed or just before falling asleep, and are deeply related to the relaxed state of mind and body.

Theanine has also been reported to have the effect of suppressing the secretion of stress hormones and lowering blood pressure.

When we feel stressed or anxious, our bodies become dominated by the sympathetic nervous system, causing our heart rate to increase and blood pressure to rise.

However, by taking theanine, you can suppress the activity of the sympathetic nervous system and give dominance to the parasympathetic nervous system.

As a result, it is said that the mind and body are relaxed and excessive tension and anxiety are relieved.

Experiment on the relaxing effect of theanine

Various studies have shown that taking theanine increases alpha waves in the brain, resulting in a relaxing effect.

For example, in one study, people experiencing anxiety were given either regular water or water containing theanine.

The results showed that while no change occurred when drinking ordinary water, when people drank water containing theanine, alpha waves in their brain increased and they entered a relaxed state 40 minutes after drinking the water.

There have also been reports of improved blood circulation, such as warmer fingertips.

In addition, theanine may also help balance neurotransmitters in the brain and reduce stress.

In experiments on mice, it was confirmed that the brains of mice that consumed theanine experienced a reduction in substances that increase due to stress.

Similar results have been seen in human studies when taking theanine, with the effects being particularly pronounced in people who are more susceptible to stress.

Gyokuro tea has the highest theanine content

So why is Gyokuro, out of all the different types of Japanese tea, particularly effective at relieving tension and improving stage fright? The reason is its high theanine content.

Gyokuro, made from the freshest buds of the first harvest of tea, contains more of theanine, which has a relaxing effect, than other green teas.

As tea leaves grow, the umami component, theanine, gradually changes into an astringent component.

However, in gyokuro, which is made from freshly picked tea buds, this change has not yet occurred and so it still contains plenty of theanine.

Additionally, the unique cultivation method of Gyokuro also plays a role.

Gyokuro is grown under cover, blocking sunlight for about three weeks. This dramatically changes the balance of the tea's components.

When tea leaves are exposed to sunlight, they carry out photosynthesis, and in the process, the amount of catechin, a bitter component, increases. However, growing tea leaves in the shade prevents the increase in catechin, and instead increases the content of theanine, a savory component.

For this reason, Gyokuro boasts a significantly higher theanine content than other green teas, and is characterized by its unique mellow and sweet flavor.

Before a presentation or exam! Relax and concentrate with Gyokuro tea

On the other hand, gyokuro is also rich in caffeine, which has the opposite effect to theanine we have explained so far.

Caffeine stimulates the central nervous system, making you feel awake and increasing your concentration.

In other words, by drinking gyokuro, you can get the relaxing effect of theanine and the stimulating effect of caffeine at the same time.

This balanced effect perfectly meets the needs of modern people who want to relieve tension while also increasing concentration.

Drinking gyokuro is extremely effective in situations where you want to increase your concentration and perform at your best, such as before an important presentation or exam, but at the same time want to relax.

The synergistic effects of Gyokuro will help you to maximize your performance.

How to drink Gyokuro effectively

To get the most out of Gyokuro's relaxing effects, you need to be creative in how you drink it.

1. Drink 40 minutes before

Research has shown that it takes about 40 minutes for the effects of theanine to take effect, so drinking it 40 minutes before a stressful situation can help you relax more effectively.

2. Brew at low temperature

When gyokuro is brewed with hot water, the bitter components such as catechins become more pronounced, which can reduce the effects of theanine. By slowly extracting the tea for 2 to 2.5 minutes using low-temperature water of around 50 to 60°C, you can efficiently ingest theanine.

3. Don't drink too much at once

Taking too much theanine will not increase its effectiveness, so be sure to consume in moderation.

In addition, because gyokuro contains caffeine, drinking too much of it may cause you to need to go to the bathroom more frequently. If you are in a particularly stressful situation, we recommend that you go to the bathroom beforehand.

4. Combine it with other relaxation techniques

Combining it with other relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing or meditation, can make it even more effective at releasing tension.

summary

What did you think? If you suffer from tension or stage fright, why not give Gyokuro a try?

Its mellow taste and relaxing effect will surely put you in a good mood.