Exams, an important presentation, a packed schedule… many things can cause us stress. It’s beneficial to keep our stress levels as low as possible, as too much stress is unhealthy. Did you know that prolonged stress can lead to headaches, anxiety, insomnia, high blood pressure, increased risk of heart attack, weight gain, sleep problems, type 2 diabetes, and a weakened immune system? A good way to manage stress is by regularly drinking a soothing cup of tea.
L-theanine in tea
The reason tea helps against stress is due to the beneficial effects of various components found in tea. For instance, tea contains L-theanine, catechins, theaflavins, and much more. L-theanine, which is found almost exclusively in tea, is made up of glutamic acid and ethylamine. These are two neurotransmitters in the brain and nervous system. Tea, particularly L-theanine in tea, thus acts on these neurotransmitters. This is why tea has a relaxing and calming effect during stress and exertion, promoting a tranquil yet alert mind.
There has also been considerable scientific research on the impact of drinking tea on our stress levels. Some epidemiological studies have associated tea consumption with lower levels of psychological stress and depression. Various animal studies have investigated the effects of tea components on psychological stress and anxiety, finding that tea can have stress-reducing and anxiety-relieving effects in animals due to the calming effects of theanine on the brain. The stress response in humans also appears to decrease following the intake of theanine.
A moment of zen
Not only the components of tea but also the ritual of making and drinking tea helps to lower our stress levels. It’s important to really take your time and not rush. The routine actions of making a cup of tea, especially loose leaf tea, help you relax. These are slow, deliberate actions that don’t require much effort. Focusing on the simple act of tea-making turns it into a kind of moving meditation. You are consciously engaged in one thing: making tea. By closing off from the outside world and focusing entirely on the act of tea-making, you create a zen moment for yourself.
Also, drink your tea during a time of rest or relaxation, not while you’re busy with other things. Take the time to enjoy every sip. When drinking, we engage many senses. Consider the relaxing aroma of the tea, the warm cup in your hands, the delicious taste… All these things help to further reduce your stress levels.
Stress-reducing types of tea
Tea, in general, is an effective tool against stress, but research has shown that some types are particularly powerful in helping to lower stress. Below are some examples from scientific studies:
- Green Tea: Healthy volunteers who drank green tea containing 200 mg of L-theanine produced less cortisol, the stress hormone, and felt more relaxed after performing stress-inducing tasks.
- Black Tea: Scientific research on black tea has shown that consuming tea for six weeks results in lower post-stress cortisol levels and increased relaxation. Those who drank tea recovered faster from stressful tasks and reported feeling more relaxed.
- Oolong Tea: Findings from a small Chinese study suggested that oolong tea has an anti-stress effect without adverse effects on appetite or physical fitness. This anti-stress effect may be related to the stress-relieving effects of caffeine or the antioxidant properties of polyphenols in the tea.
- GABA Tea: GABA is not a type of tea but the result of a special production process that gives the tea a high GABA content. GABA is a non-protein amino acid and one of the central nervous system’s primary inhibitory neurotransmitters. GABA is believed to act effectively as a natural relaxant, also helping to reduce anxiety and potentially improving immunity under stress conditions. There are green GABA tea and oolong GABA tea available.
