Tea Aroma, China’s Most Beautiful Journal
Research has revealed that theanine can significantly promote the release of dopamine in the central brain and enhance the physiological activity of dopamine there. Dopamine, a central neurotransmitter that activates brain neurons, has a physiological activity closely related to a person’s emotional state. Theanine was first isolated and named by the Japanese scholar Sakudo Miroku in 1920 from Yulu tea and is a characteristic component of tea leaves. L-theanine is the most important taste component in tea leaves, accounting for more than 50% of the total free amino acids. In spring tea, its content can reach 1.5% – 2%, and up to 3% in tender stems. In Pu erh tea, theanine accounts for about 0.5% to 2.0% of the total content. It is an important component in forming the aroma and freshness of tea leaves, and its aqueous solution mainly exhibits umami and sweetness, which can inhibit the bitterness of tea soup.
Benefits of Theanine
1. Alleviating Stress and Fatigue
Theanine can significantly promote the release of dopamine in the central brain and enhance the physiological activity of dopamine. Since dopamine is closely related to a person’s emotional state, it helps reduce work pressure and alleviate symptoms of fatigue.
2. Improving Learning and Memory
In animal experiments, mice given theanine demonstrated better learning ability and memory than the control group. They quickly mastered learning tasks in bright light and showed high-intensity memory in the dark.
3. Easing PMS Symptoms
The sedative effect of theanine suggests its potential to improve Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS), and clinical trials in women have proven its effectiveness.
4. Lowering Blood Pressure
Theanine may regulate the concentration of neurotransmitters in the brain, thereby lowering blood pressure.
5. Protecting Nerve Cells
It can inhibit nerve cell death caused by transient cerebral ischemia, thus protecting nerve cells.
6. Aiding Smoking Cessation and Removing Heavy Metals
The Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences’ “State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognition” discovered that theanine, a new substance for inhibiting tobacco and nicotine addiction, regulates nicotine receptors and dopamine release to achieve smoking cessation. It also has a significant effect on removing heavy metals in smoke, including arsenic, cadmium, and lead.
7. Enhancing the Efficacy of Anticancer Drugs
When used in conjunction with antitumor drugs, theanine can prevent these drugs from flowing out of tumor cells, enhancing their anticancer effects. Additionally, it can reduce the side effects of antitumor drugs.
Applications of Theanine
In the Food Industry
- General Food Production: L-theanine is easily soluble in water and can be added to baked goods, frozen desserts, candies, various beverages, etc.
- Flavor Improvement: It can be used as a flavor improver for green tea and to inhibit bitterness and spiciness in other foods.
- Functional Food Additive: Theanine has effects such as enhancing alpha waves in the brain, making people feel relaxed, and improving memory. After passing human trials, functional foods that relieve neural tension and enhance intelligence can be developed based on this.
In Medicine
- Cancer Treatment: Utilizing the antitumor effect of theanine to develop adjuvant drugs for cancer treatment.
- Hypertension Treatment: Given its hypotensive effect on the peripheral neurovascular system, it can be used to develop antihypertensive drugs and health products.
- Neurological Disease Prevention: Owing to its sedative and calming effect on the nervous system, it can be used to promote the brain’s learning and memory functions. It also has preventive effects on diseases such as Parkinson’s disease, senile dementia, and conduction nerve dysfunction.
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