Recently, green tea has been the subject of intense interest among health enthusiasts, academics, and other professionals. This tea, commonly drunk all over the world on a daily basis, is said to improve cognitive function, enhance mood, and boost energy levels. On top of that, it is said to be a potent overall health booster.
But is it truly a natural nootropic?
Let’s find out! In this article, we will explore the actual effects of green tea on brain function to see if it deserves to be called a nootropic. We will look at how green tea affects brain chemistry, and whether or not it can really safeguard brain health over the long-run as so many people claim. Read on to discover whether green tea really improves your brain power.
Is green tea good for the brain?
Scientists have long known that green tea has several benefits for our health, including the ability to protect the brain from age-related decline. Recently, a new study confirmed that the chemical EGCG in green tea can protect brain cells. Chinese researchers examined the effect of green tea on mouse brain cells by adding the solution to brain cells taken from the hippocampi. The hippocampus serves as a sort of hard drive for memories, indexing them and sending them to other parts of the brain when needed. The hippocampus is important for neurogenesis, which is the process by which new neurons grow and become connected to other regions of the brain. As we age, this process declines, resulting in neurological disorders, cognitive decline, and other symptoms.
The study found that elders who drank green tea regularly had sharper minds than those who did not. The study was published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. The participants of the study were Japanese men and women aged 70 and older, and they were asked to rate their daily intake of green tea. The individuals who reported the highest consumption of green tea were the least likely to exhibit any cognitive impairment, according to lead author Shinichi Kuriyama, professor of public health and medical school at Tohoku University.
Is green tea extract a nootropic?
Green tea is a common drink with a long history in traditional Chinese and Japanese medicine. Drinking green tea is often equated with drinking water. Ancient Asian healers understood the benefits of the amino acid theanine. In 1949, research into green tea yielded the discovery of theanine in the leaf. It was isolated from Gyokuro green tea and used by pioneering international scientists as a nootropic. Today, L-theanine from green tea has become one of the most widely used nootropics on the planet.
Studies have found that drinking green tea may improve cognitive performance and prevent the progression of Alzheimer’s disease, a progressive neurodegenerative disease. Green tea extract has been shown to inhibit the growth of b-amyloid plaques, which contribute to the progression of the disease. Studies of human populations have also shown that the amount of green tea consumed was related to the incidence of diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers concluded that drinking more green tea was associated with a lower risk of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.
Nootropics are unique compounds found in certain plant botanicals that support the brain’s health and cognitive function. In addition to nutritional supplements, nootropics can be botanical phytonutrients, bioactive compounds, peptides, and probiotic strains. Some prescription drugs are sometimes referred to as nootropics as well. In addition to green tea extract, there have been several stories of college students taking prescription drugs to improve their mental performance.
Green tea and L-Theanine
Studies have shown that L-theanine has positive effects on cognitive performance. Among other things, it boosts neurotransmitters in the brain, improving the immune system and altering TH2/TH1 cytokine levels. Moreover, it boosts the body’s defenses by increasing levels of phospholipase C. These are all positive benefits for our overall wellbeing. Furthermore, L-theanine helps achieve inner balance.
Theanine can be found in both green and black tea leaves. However, black tea preparations generally contain more L-theanine than green tea. This is because other factors affect the concentration of L-theanine in tea leaves. It would be better if the nootropic supplements would offer standardized extracts of green tea leaves to minimize the effects of different preparations. It’s worth mentioning that most companies don’t offer standardized extracts.
Suntheanine(r) is a patented form of L-theanine. Its concentration is comparable to that of 10 cups of green tea. It is recommended that you try Suntheanine as part of a nootropic stack to get the best results. So, which nootropics should you take along with Suntheanine? Here are some benefits of both.
What are the benefits of taking green tea extract?
Researchers have shown that green tea extract increases brain activity in all four bandwidths, including beta and theta. Theta waves are associated with quiet wakefulness, while beta waves are associated with heightened focus and attention. Studies show that taking half a cup a day can reduce the risk of developing depression and dementia. In addition to boosting brain health, green tea extract may lower the risk of depression and dementia.
The antioxidant properties of green tea extract may help prevent or even prevent diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease. The catechins in green tea are known to improve insulin sensitivity and regulate blood sugar levels. Because catechins in green tea are so beneficial for the body, they may be beneficial for those with high cholesterol levels. However, green tea extract is not beneficial for people with normal cholesterol levels.
Although most people don’t have these health conditions, it’s still advisable to consult your doctor before taking any supplements. Studies have shown that green tea extract is useful in reducing fasting blood glucose levels. It can also lower hemoglobin A1C, a measure of blood sugar over the last two to three months. This is beneficial for diabetics and people who have high blood sugar levels.
Green tea for anxiety
Many traditional remedies for stress and anxiety have long been known to be effective. For many centuries, folk healers used green tea as an effective remedy. Modern medical science has caught up to their wisdom and is now conducting studies on the potential benefits of green tea extract for anxiety. It may even lower blood pressure, improve immunity and boost health. So, is green tea really a nootropic? It may be! But what exactly is it and how does it work?
Among the polyphenols in green tea, l-theanine is one of the most powerful nootropics known to improve cognitive function. Although green tea is not commonly consumed in a beverage form, it does contain the nootropic l-theanine. This amino acid improves cognitive function. Several studies have shown that l-theanine may also be an effective nootropic. The compounds in green tea work together to make it one of the healthiest beverages in the world. Now, you can capture all of the benefits of this healthy beverage in a capsule. This method is extremely safe and non-toxic.
Despite the many benefits, it is important to remember that people are different when it comes to their sensitivity to caffeine. To ensure that you aren’t react negatively to caffeine, start out with a small dose and gradually increase it as necessary. Do not exceed the recommended dosage. You may be surprised to find that it makes a difference in your anxiety levels! The same goes for the rest of the benefits.
Green tea for ADHD
Some people may have heard of green tea for ADHD as a natural supplement. Its benefits are numerous and include improving focus and impulse control. It also reduces brain fog. Studies suggest that L-theanine may help with ADHD symptoms. It is an amino acid that naturally occurs in green tea. This amino acid has been shown to increase serotonin levels and improve mood and impulse control. Despite its numerous benefits, more studies are needed to determine if green tea can be a natural treatment for ADHD.
Although there are many potential side effects associated with nootropics, one of the most common is caffeine overdose, which can lead to death. For this reason, it is not a suitable nootropic for ADHD. It shares many similarities with amphetamine drugs and should not be used at night. As a general rule, nootropics should be taken in the morning, not during the night.
Ginseng, a plant from the marsh, has been used for centuries to enhance mental clarity and decrease anxiety. A study from 2000 showed that a 12-gram dose of the “red” variety reduced anxiety and increased social functioning in children with ADHD. It is also important to note that ginseng is not the only herbal substance that is effective for ADHD. Among other substances, pine bark extract (pycnogenol) contains proanthocyanidins.
Green Tea for Alzheimer’s
Alzheimer’s disease (AD), a progressive neurodegenerative disorder, is caused at least partially by brain b-amyloid plaques.
Evidence suggests that green tea extract may be able to treat the symptoms of this neurological disorder. Green tea can prevent neurodegenerative diseases from progressing and promote cognitive performance. The development of Alzheimer’s disease has been inhibited by the antioxidants found in green tea extract. Numerous studies in populations have shown a strong correlation between green tea consumption and the incidence of Alzheimer’s disease.
A lower incidence of cognitive impairment is associated with green tea consumption. In 2002, a study was done on 1003 Japanese citizens who were 70 years old or older.
The participants were asked to determine their green tea intake and then completed a brief mental state exam. The cognitive impairment was significantly lower in subjects who drank green tea. Another large study looked into the relationship between green tea consumption, cognition, and 2,501 older adults.
Green Tea for Depression
Research shows that drinking half a cup of green Tea per day can lower your risk of developing dementia. Multiple population studies support this conclusion.
One longitudinal study examined green tea consumption and self-reported lifetime depression among the Korean population.
The researchers found that green tea drinkers were 32% less likely to be depressed. This is a significant finding.
A survey of 1058 Japanese seniors found that a high consumption of green tea had a significant impact on the prevalence of depression symptoms.
Is matcha tea a nootropic?
You may be wondering whether matcha tea is a nootropic. This tea is made by mixing specially-prepared green tea with hot water. Historically, matcha has been revered by Buddhist monks and has been used for its mental health benefits. It can improve memory and focus, while providing energy. Despite its caffeine content, matcha tea does not produce the jitteriness that normal green tea does.
The most common nootropic we encounter in our daily lives is caffeine, which stimulates our nervous system and reduces fatigue. Matcha tea contains a significant amount of caffeine, which ranges between 80 to 120 mg per bowl. That’s about the same as three cans of Coke, and one average cup of coffee. For comparison’s sake, you might think that matcha tea has a low caffeine content, but it is actually high in theanine substance.
The caffeine in matcha is naturally occurring in the tea, but it is not enough to boost brain power. Adding matcha to your current coffee or tea ritual can make it a nootropic. Start off by drinking a single cup of matcha daily and gradually increase your intake to five cups daily. However, don’t exceed this limit because you would be exceeding your recommended daily intake of caffeine and nootropics, which are also common in green tea. Aside from caffeine, matcha also contains many other vitamins, minerals, and fibers.
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Brian Johnson is current Editor of Vagarights.com and a long-time writer for VAGA. A former psychologist, Brian is passionate about improving mental health and finding ways to stave off cognitive decline. He is an expert on nootropics, cognitive enhancement and biohacking more broadly. You can see his work on Google scholar.
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