Reduce Stress, Distraction, and Anxiousness with a Cup of Tea, Survey Says

Tea Can Have Positive Impact on Brain Waves and Help People De-Stress Down

Have you been stressed lately? Do you want to calm down? New research shows that drinking tea may reduce stress, distraction, and anxiousness. Whether it's black, green, or one of the many oolong varieties, drinking tea causes an amino acid named Theanine to be produced in our body. Ultimately theanine can help reduce our stress and make our minds more alert. It reduces both physical and mental stress.

"The list of health benefits associated with tea consumption continues to grow. And, unlike medications, there are no known medical reasons not to enjoy tea as part of a healthy diet and lifestyle," said Jeffrey Blumberg, Ph.D., Professor, Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy and Director, Antioxidants Research Laboratory, Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University, Boston.

How theanine works to reduce stress

By conducting several human trials, John Foxe, PhD., Professor of Neuroscience, Biology and Psychology at City College of the City University of New York, has determined that the our bodies produce theanine, an amino acid, when we drink tea. Theanine changes the neurotransmitters in our brain, causing us to make more alpha brain waves. Alpha brain waves are known to help people reduce stress and be more alert.

Other stress reducing benefits of theanine

Another benefit of the changes theanine causes is increased production of dopamine and seratonin. These can affect our stress level, too. Dopamine and serotonin may influence moods and are often an ingredient found in mood-enhancement drugs.

More about tea

Theanine is found in green, black, an oolong tea. Stick with these to get rid of stress!

The term "herbal tea" simply refers to a tea that has had fruits, flowers, or herbs added to it. You can find chamomile, lavender, citrus, bilberry, rose, mint, and an endless variety of herbs included with tea.

Be careful! Some teas are 100 percent herbs. If you want to reduce your stress, these teas won't help. They don't contain any black, green, or oolong tea. They'll taste great, but theanine won't be produced, and your stress level might not go down.