L-Theanine vs. Tyrosine: What the Science Says
Sometimes, it can feel like a million things are shouting for our attention. When you consider that many people try to balance work, fun, chores, and self-care, it makes sense that we all feel a little scatterbrained from time to time.
If you’re feeling the pressure, you may be looking for something — anything — to help restore some mental clarity and stability. So, now you’re here, researching L-theanine and L-tyrosine. Let’s discuss the benefits of these two amino acids, their differences, and which one you may want to use.
What Is L-Theanine?
L-theanine is an amino acid that is naturally found in green, black, white, and oolong teas. These teas are all made from the leaves of the tea plant, also called Camellia sinensis.
Although L-theanine is an amino acid, the human body doesn't actually need it to function. The human body also doesn’t produce L-theanine on its own.
This compound has been the subject of much research recently because of its many benefits for mental and cognitive health. In the body, L-theanine can support the production of GABA, dopamine, and serotonin. These are all neurotransmitters that can affect the entire nervous system.
Benefits of L-Theanine
L-theanine is an incredibly popular supplement in the wellness community, and it’s not hard to see why. The benefits of L-theanine complement each other very well, making it a great option for supporting overall mental health.
These benefits include the following:
- Supports Feelings of Relaxation: Taking L-theanine can help people feel less stressed, opens in a new tab and encourage feelings of relaxation. Many people use L-theanine to support their systems during a stressful season.
- Supports Emotional Well-Being: Because L-theanine can ease feelings of stress, it can also soothe feelings of depression and anxiety that are related to stress.
- Encourages Cognitive Health: Some studies, opens in a new tab show that L-theanine can support mental performance, focus, and memory-making. These effects were both short-term and long-term.
- Supports a Good Night’s Sleep: This may be a happy side effect of L-theanine’s other benefits, but this amino acid can also help support high-quality sleep.
What Is L-Tyrosine?
Let’s get to know the next item on our list: L-tyrosine. This compound is also an amino acid. However, unlike L-theanine, L-tyrosine is highly important for overall functioning and is naturally produced in the human body from a compound called phenylalanine.
That said, you can also get L-tyrosine from plenty of dietary sources. For instance, you can find this amino acid in soy products, lean meats, dairy products, avocados, and some nuts.
Because L-tyrosine can be found in foods that many people eat on a regular basis, it’s very rare to be low in this amino acid. It can happen sometimes, but experts agree that most people don’t need to supplement their diets with L-tyrosine, opens in a new tab.
Benefits of Tyrosine
To understand the benefits of L-tyrosine, it’s important to look at what it does in the body. As it turns out, this amino acid is a key piece of our overall health.
In the body, L-tyrosine has the following jobs:
- Regulates Hormone Production: L-tyrosine supports the thyroid, adrenal glands, and pituitary gland, which are the main points of hormone production in the body.
- Produces Melanin: L-tyrosine is key in the production of melanin, the compound that gives our skin and hair their color. Melanin can also support shiny and healthy-looking skin and hair.
- Produces Neurotransmitters: L-tyrosine is used to make neurotransmitters like epinephrine, norepinephrine, and dopamine. These chemicals help nerves communicate with each other and can also influence the stress response.
Because of these actions, L-tyrosine is commonly claimed to lower stress levels, improve mood, support sleep, and even encourage weight loss. However, many of these claims have not been proven by research. The only benefit that has been studied is L-tyrosine’s potential to support mental performance, opens in a new tab during physical and mental stress.
Which Is Best — L-Theanine or L-Tyrosine?
Now that we have a better understanding of what each of these amino acids does, we’re ready to answer the question at hand: Which one is best? Only you can make that decision for yourself.
However, when you’re choosing between these two supplements, keep in mind that L-theanine has been studied far more than L-tyrosine has. In fact, many of L-tyrosine’s supposed benefits have not been clinically proven.
When we were faced with this decision, we went with the ingredient that had the most research in its corner. That’s why our Mushroom Coffee+ contains L-theanine, as well as lion’s mane and chaga mushrooms, coffee extract, and collagen protein. Together, these five ingredients can support brain health, gut health, opens in a new tab, skin health, and more.
How To Take L-Theanine and L-Tyrosine
These supplements are pretty easy to take, as both come in the form of capsules, powders, gummies, and more. When you’re choosing a supplement, one of the key things to keep in mind is convenience.
Many benefits of natural supplements show up over time with consistent use. To make sure you’re getting the most out of your supplements, choose one that’s easy to take and easy to remember.
For instance, our Mushroom Matcha+ and Mushroom Coffee+ are as easy as it gets — simply add hot water to our powdered blends and enjoy. Of course, you can get creative if you want to switch things up. However, remember the key is convenience.
Final Thoughts
L-theanine and L-tyrosine are both amino acids that are said to support feelings of relaxation and encourage mental performance. However, once you dig a little deeper, you’ll realize that L-theanine has far more research behind its benefits.
At Everyday Dose, quality is our highest concern. Every one of the five ingredients in our mushroom blends has been chosen specifically for its powerful benefits, and each of our ingredients is of the highest quality. To learn more about why we chose our ingredients, visit the Everyday Dose blog, opens in a new tab today!
Sources:
Tyrosine Information | Mount Sinai - New York, opens in a new tab
L-Tyrosine to alleviate the effects of stress? | PMC, opens in a new tab
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