When you wake up, your day is already underway. You reach for a cup of coffee to help you start the day on the right foot, but what you typically don’t know is that your first cup of joe will not be as strong as you think. In fact, your morning cup of joe could very well contain the same chemicals as your afternoon craziness. 

It may seem like there’s never enough time in the day to caffeinate, but morning is actually the perfect time to have a cup of coffee. The reason is fairly simple: When you’re first getting out of bed, your body is weakest and caffeine has the greatest potential for producing alertness and focus. What’s more, because our bodies are most efficient when they’re operating at peak levels in the morning, that’s when we tend to be our sharpest and clearest-eyes too.

This is where L-theanine comes in to save the day. This non-caffeinogenic ingredient found in tea has been shown to increase levels of both serotonin and dopamine in the human brain, which makes you feel good and less nervous. As such, it can assist with feelings of depression and anxiety by increasing levels of neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine.

So get ready for an improved morning with these 4 tips for making your go-to brew more effective with L-Theanine.

What is L-Theanine?

As the name suggests, L-Theanine is a naturally occurring amino acid found in green tea. It is an anti-anxiety compound that can help reduce anxiety and stress levels, improve sleep and even boost the immune system. This makes it a perfect addition to your morning coffee ritual as it can help you feel less jittery and alert, while still giving your system what it needs to function at its best. A form of the amino acid L-Theanine found in green tea, L-Theanine is widely acknowledged for its relaxing properties and thus can be used to help soothe excitement before an important meeting, final exam or a big game night.

This non-psychoactive ingredient present in Japanese green tea plays several important roles in keeping your brain happy and healthy even after a night of drinks. For example, it ensures blood flow to the brain throughout the day which can lower your risk of developing a number of diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. In fact, it has been widely acknowledged for its ability to reduce stress - so much so that one serving contains up to 10 times more L-Theanine than Caffeine! 

How Does L-Theanine Work?

As we’ve established, L-Theanine is a natural anti-anxiety compound found in green tea that can help calm your system down and promote relaxation. To achieve this, it has been proven to interact with certain medications like Diazepam, and thereby called “antidote” properties. It also has been shown to enhance the body’s natural “reward” system after a difficult or stressful event, making it useful as an “adrenaline” kick in the morning when you need it the most.

We all know that caffeine can give you the jitters, but did you also know that it might be doing so by stimulating your nervous system instead of your central nervous system? This is where l-theanine comes in. In fact, one study showed that drinking just half a cup (about 130 milliliters) of caffeine free black coffee per day — about a cup per hour — significantly reduced anxiety compared to those who drank more than that amount. This is because caffeine stimulates both Serotonin and Dopamine in the brain, which leads to increased levels of these neurotransmitters.

The Best Time to Drink Your Morning Coffee with L-Theanine

When getting ready for the day, most people reach for a cup of joe to help them start their day in the right direction. For some, that might mean a cup of regular coffee; others may prefer tea or caffeine-free options like tequila before hitting the road. However you choose to start your morning, it’s pretty safe to say you won’t regret having more caffeine in your system.

Although L-Theanine is a more potent compound in the evening, you should still drink your morning coffee during your peak waking hours as it is argued to be most effective when consumed between 6-9 am. This is because caffeine is present in higher amounts in the morning, meaning you’ll need less of it to get the same amount of effects - making it a more suitable choice for an active morning routine.

4 Ways to Make Your Morning Coffee More Effective with L-Theanine

We’ve already mentioned some of the most popular ways to make your morning coffee more effective with L-Theanine but there are many more! Here are 4 ways to make your morning coffee more effective with L-Theanine: 

 

1. Drink your morning coffee alone 

This is the “off-label” usage of caffeine and it’s recommended. The caffeine in coffee acts as a wake-up call to your body and helps you get out of bed. This is the perfect way to start your day as it will help you stay alert and focused throughout your day. 

 

2. Drink your morning coffee with others 

Some people like to drink their coffee with other people as a social alarm, particularly in the early hours of the morning. This is perfectly fine as long as you are both awake and drinking your coffee in private. 

 

3. Drink your morning coffee with cream 

Cream is used to make coffee very creamy so you can really get a full experience from it. It is also used in baking and can be used as a substitute for sugar in some situations. 

 

4. Add sugar to your morning coffee 

Although you shouldn’t completely rule out the option of drinking your coffee with cream and sugar, some people like to have their morning coffee with sugar. This is fine as long as you are both happy with the taste.

Conclusion

The benefits of drinking coffee are plentiful and can really help you out in the morning. However, you should drink your coffee at a convenient time so you can get the most out of it. For example, if you normally have your coffee in the morning, make sure that you drink it before your morning workout so you can get the most out of your workout. Making your morning coffee more effective with L-Theanine can help you feel alert and energetic while showcasing how important this drink is to your health and well-being. Start your morning with Lean Joe Bean’s superfood coffee!