Just reading a little bit about the tea debate, namely green tea
Many people sensitive to caffeine report that green tea doesn’t give them the jitters, shakes and insomnia often related to black tea, coffee, or cola. In fact, people often report feeling calm after sipping green tea. Why is the effect of caffeine in green tea different from that of other beverages?
The answers lies in the chemical compositions of the tender young shoots harvested to make high-grade green tea. Two components alter the effects of caffeine in green tea: L-theanine and
[COLOR=#0000cc !important][COLOR=#0000cc !important]EGCG[/COLOR][/COLOR].
L-Theanine, EGCG, and the Caffeine Effect
L-Theanine (theanine), an amino acid found in green tea, promotes feelings of relaxation. As researchers study the effects of theanine, they are discovering that it works with many brain chemicals related to mood, including dopamine, serotonin, and
GABA. Some laboratory studies suggest that theanine induces alpha waves in the brain, which are the hallmarks of a relaxed mental state. Because green tea contains an abundance of theanine, researchers speculate that the theanine counters the effect of caffeine and takes the edge off those caffeine jitters.
The second component in green tea that alters caffeine effects is EGCG. This miracle compound stimulates the body’s immune system in a myriad of ways.
Science Daily reports that EGCG may be effective in fighting bacterial sepsis, and often deadly bacterial infection. In addition to its powerful immune system activity, EGCG mitigates the caffeine content in green tea. As you brew a steaming
[COLOR=#0000cc !important][COLOR=#0000cc !important]cup[/COLOR][/COLOR] of green tea and pour hot water over the tea leaves, evidence suggests that EGCG binds to caffeine and neutralizes its effects.