L-theanine May Help Improve Memory and Attention

L-theanine is an amino acid found primarily in green and black tea and some mushrooms. A recent study has found that l-theanine may help improve memory and attention in adults.

Sixty-nine adults between the ages of 50 and 69 with self-reported declines in cognitive function participated in the study. They were given 100.6 mg of l-theanine or a placebo daily for 12 weeks. Cognitive function was evaluated at baseline, after one dose of l-theanine, and at the end of the study period.

One dose of l-theanine resulted in improved reaction time during attention tasks and improvements in working memory tasks. However, no significantly significant benefits were seen after 12 weeks of supplementation.

The study was conducted by researchers from the Central Research Institute. It was published online ahead of print on April 16, 2021, in the Journal of Medicinal Food.