They are the dream couple par excellence: caffeine and L-theanine!
Together, they can boost your mental performance and help you get the most out of your energy. L-Theanine reduces the side effects of caffeine while increasing your ability to concentrate and attract attention. We’ll tell you how that works and where you get the power combination from.
Why L-theanine and caffeine are a real dream couple?
Imagine waking up in the morning, starting your day-to-day routine and enjoying a cup of hot black coffee. Perfect power start to the day – or not?
It often happens that you are pushed and full of energy after the morning coffee has been drunk, but after a short time it does not feel so good anymore – nervous and anxious, the heart flutters and the concentration fades.
Here is the true face of caffeine: It has negative side effects. Your exhaustion is only suppressed by the caffeine. It is still there and can even increase without you realizing it. If you lose the effect of caffeine, you fall into a kind of exhaustion hole.
The combination of caffeine with L-theanine is the secret recipe! L-Theanine is an amino acid that is preferably found in green tea (but also in other varieties). Caffeine is found in coffee, cocoa and even occurs in tea. Combined, these two ingredients are a true power duo.
What is L-Theanine?
Almost everyone has heard of caffeine before: It’s the stuff that can keep you going if you have not slept enough or just too much on your to-do list.
But have you ever heard of L-Theanine? No? Only a few have, so don’t worry!
That’s why we’re shedding light on this and explaining what it’s all about: L-Theanine is an amino acid found mainly in black and green tea. In addition to some other ingredients, L-Theanine can also affect the efficiency of these drinks on your mood. L-Theanine supports caffeine. L-Theanine is also often included in supplements to provide a balanced mood.
Take Home Message # 1: Caffeine? Is known! And L-theanine? Rather not! The amino acid, which is mainly found in green and black tea, in combination with the well-known caffeine can look like a real power duo! Together, Power is announced for your tasks.
Benefits of Combining Caffeine and L-Theanine
What is so special about the combination of L-Theanine and Caffeine? What makes the dream duo so great?
The answer is: synergy. Caffeine pushes you to a higher level. But you may also know some disadvantages from experience: an increased heart rate, high blood pressure, and nervousness can be the result. L-Theanine, however, is often included in supplements designed to provide a balanced mood. A 2012 study examined the effects of L-theanine on mental performance. It was found that L-theanine can lower blood pressure and improve mental performance.
Once you’re full of energy without falling into a hole, you can focus more on your work, be more creative and a lot more successful. The combination of L-theanine and caffeine takes you to a higher level, stronger than caffeine alone. Also, a study by researchers F.L. Dodd, D.O. Kennedy, L.M. Riby, and C.F. Haskell-Ramsay from 2015 shows that the combination of caffeine and L-theanine can support your blood pressure, cognitive performance, and mood.
The two are like a couple in which one with his strengths compensates for the weaknesses of the other. This is also shown in a study published in 2008 by the American Society for Nutrition, which investigated the effects of L-theanine and caffeine and considered whether they individually or collectively influence attention performance. The study confirms that the combination of the two substances has better effects than the single administration.
Take-Home-Message # 2: The great thing about the combination of L-Theanine with caffeine is their synergy: they favor one another and compensate for each other’s weaknesses. You will be balanced.
Do L-Theanine and Caffeine have Side Effects?
The combined intake of L-theanine and caffeine is completely safe.
The side effects of caffeine are generally well documented and every student or professional will certainly have benefited from his or her effects at one time or another.
L-Theanine is also considered safe in terms of food safety. The US Food and Drug Association (FDA) refers to L-theanine as “G.R.A.S.”. This stands for “generally recognized as safe”, which means “generally safe”. L-Theanine has few and rare side effects, so there is little cause for concern as long as you take a reasonable dose of L-Theanine.
Take-home message # 3: Both L-theanine and caffeine are safe to take in reasonable amounts. Although caffeine can have negative side effects in too large amounts, these are thoroughly researched. L-theanine, however, is generally safe. The power efficiency of the Superkombi is thus nothing in the way.
How much of each should I take?
When taking caffeine together with L-theanine, it is particularly important to pay attention to the correct relationship between the two.
The ratio of caffeine to L-theanine must be 1: 2, so that your body can optimally benefit from the balancing combination effect of the two substances. This ratio of caffeine to L-theanine is best suited to give you the best possible support. Best of both worlds, so to speak.
This was also confirmed by the study by G.N. Owen and colleagues from 2008. They investigated the combined effects of L-theanine and caffeine on cognitive performance and found the optimal combination.
A cup of coffee contains about 100 mg of caffeine. Accordingly, 200 mg of L-theanine would have to be added. For the beginning, these dosages could be a bit high. Treat your body to a slow habituation phase. 160 mg of L-theanine per 80 mg of caffeine is a good starting point.
The market also offers the Powerduo in capsule form. Much more concentrated and easier to take, this is an ideal way to benefit from their effects. Your thinking machine is happy about this ideal combination of L-Theanine and Caffeine.
Take-home message # 4: When L-theanine is taken with caffeine, the right relationship is especially important! It should always consist of one part of caffeine and two parts of L-theanine so that the power duo can develop its effect optimally.
Conclusion: Caffeine and L-Theanine
For all biohackers out there, you have found what you have been looking for.
The combination of caffeine and L-theanine is widely used to increase mental performance. And I can tell you guys, it works.
This one is a must try.
Cheers,
Sam
