Alternate Names/Related Terms L-theanine is a water-soluble
amino acid. Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins.
L-theanine has been studied for its possible health benefits,
ranging from . However, most research on the amino acid has been
conducted to assess its L-theanine is found mainly in tea (eg,
), and to a less extent in mushrooms. L-theanine is also
available in its purified form as an oral dietary supplement.
Optimal doses of tea or its constituents are not known.
L-theanine is thought to have both antioxidant and relaxant
effects. Some animal studies have shown that the amino acid may
also be helpful in lowering lipids in the blood , fighting
obesity, and preventing L-theanine has been shown to increase
the anti-tumor activity of two cancer-fighting drugs, What Is
the Scientific Evidence for L-Theanine? Although there have been
a handful of studies evaluating L-theanine for several
conditions, most research has been centered on its effects on
mental status. L-theanine has been shown to have