Could Your Cuppa Help You Sleep?
21 DECEMBER 2020
It’s fair to say that the UK has a bit of a love affair with the ‘builders brew’. Research has shown however that there is more to the humble cuppa than its ability to get us going in the morning. It’s well known that caffeine present in tea can interfere with sleep, so what of its magical qualities that could actually help us sleep?
It’s the L-theanine present in green and black tea that’s the secret to the tea leaves’ super power. L-Theanine is an amino-acid which is believed to promote a certain activity in the brain that creates a feeling of relaxation. Studies have shown that L-theanine could help with stress by calming the mind . Being able to deal with stressful situations during the day will in turn encourage relaxing sleep.
Generally speaking, research shows that L-Theanine improved sleep with its ability to reduce resting heart rate . Delving a bit deeper into the science it has been specifically shown to help with ADHD by promoting sleep .
Don’t worry about your favourite beverage causing you to fall asleep in the day however, as even though L-theanine can increase relaxation and encourage sleep, it does so without causing drowsiness . A combination of L-theanine and caffeine helps to maintain mental alertness whilst helping to increase levels of important hormones and neurotransmitters that balance and calm the mind. Mother nature has a wonderful way of blending nutritional combinations offering what we biologically need to function at our best.
Before you rush to put the kettle on and have a midnight brew, remember that too much caffeine can interfere with sleep. Caffeine effects everyone individually, but it’s good practice to keep consumption moderate and in the earlier part of the day. A balanced approach with nutrition will ensure that your body is working in sync with your natural daily rhythms.
So when you’re having a stressful day someone offers you a cuppa, you can willingly accept knowing that it can calm you down, keep you focused and that it might just help you nod off naturally later on that evening.
https://www.journals.elsevier.com/journal-of-nutrition-and-intermediary-metabolism
https://www.mdpi.com/2306-5710/2/2/13/htm
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22214254/
http://apjcn.nhri.org.tw/server/APJCN/17%20Suppl%201/167.pdf
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1179/147683010X12611460764840
Help yourself sleep better with personalised vitamins
formulated for a better nights rest.
Amy Young
Alyve Nutritionist
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