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The Effects of Green Tea Amino Acid L-Theanine Consumption on the Ability to Manage Stress and Anxiety Levels: A Systematic Review

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Williams, Jackson L., Everett, Julian M., D’Cunha, Nathan M., Sergi, Domenico, Georgousopoulou, Ekavi N., Keegan, Richard J., McKune, Andrew J., Mellor, Duane D. +2 more·2020·Plant Foods for Human Nutrition

Abstract

The green tea amino acid, L-theanine (L-THE) is associated with several health benefits, including improvements in mood, cognition and a reduction of stress and anxiety-like symptoms. This systematic review evaluated the effect of pure L-THE intake, in the form of orally administered nutritional supplements, on stress responses and anxiety levels in human randomised controlled trials. Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) checklist, 9 peer-reviewed journal articles were identified where L-THE as a supplement was compared to a control. Our findings suggest that supplementation of 200-400 mg/day of L-THE may assist in the reduction of stress and anxiety in people exposed to stressful conditions. Despite this finding, longer-term and larger cohort clinical studies, including those where L-THE is incorporated into the diet regularly, are needed to clinically justify the use of L-THE as a therapeutic agent to reduce stress and anxiety in people exposed to stressful conditions.

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Crossref · 10.1007/s11130-019-00771-5

Cites

68 of 68 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

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  • In a 2019 systematic review by Williams et al., pure l-theanine at a daily dose of 200-400 mg reduced stress and anxiety in people under acute stress.

    “In a systematic review published in 2019 by Williams et al., l-theanine in its pure form at a daily dose of 200–400 mg reduced stress and anxiety in people under acute stress [4].”

    From Promising, but Not Completely Conclusive—The Effect of l-Theanine on Cognitive Performance Based on the Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trials (2025) · cites this paper as [4]

    The Conclusion says that pure L-theanine at 200–400 mg/day may help reduce stress and anxiety in people undergoing acute stressful situations. The citing sentence presents that tentative finding as an established reduction, overstating the review's conclusion. (LLM, conf=0.88)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
  • l-theanine has several beneficial effects, including improvement of mood and cognition and reductions in stress and anxiety-like symptoms.

    “l-theanine has several beneficial effects, including the improvement of mood and cognition and reductions in stress and anxiety-like symptoms [4].”

    From Promising, but Not Completely Conclusive—The Effect of l-Theanine on Cognitive Performance Based on the Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trials (2025) · cites this paper as [4]

    The Introduction describes improvements in mood and cognition as potential benefits of L-theanine. The Conclusion says it may reduce stress and anxiety during acute stressful situations, but finds insufficient evidence for reducing stress in people with chronic conditions. The citing sentence presents these benefits without those qualifications. (LLM, conf=0.85)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
  • Based on preclinical and clinical evidence, caffeine and l-theanine are the two main constituents contributing to green tea's effect on cognition and mood.

    “Based on preclinical and clinical evidence, caffeine and l-theanine are the two main constituents contributing to this effect [4].”

    From Promising, but Not Completely Conclusive—The Effect of l-Theanine on Cognitive Performance Based on the Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trials (2025) · cites this paper as [4]

    The Introduction links L-theanine to improvements in mood and cognition and discusses its combination with caffeine. But the Discussion says it is difficult to identify the causative compounds in green tea because other constituents, including catechins, may contribute. The paper does not establish caffeine and L-theanine as the two main contributors. (LLM, conf=0.85)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
  • There is insufficient evidence to recommend L-theanine as a treatment for any associated clinical symptoms.

    “but there is insufficient evidence to recommend L-theanine as a treatment for any associated clinical symptoms (32, 39, 40, 44).”

    From Effects of L-theanine on cognition, mood and sleep: evidence from human trials (2026) · cites this paper as [32]

    The Conclusion (page unavailable) says there is insufficient evidence that L-theanine reduces stress in people with chronic conditions, and the Discussion reports no improvement in anxiety or mood over placebo in a generalized-anxiety-disorder trial. That supports caution about clinical use, but the paper does not extend its conclusion to treatment of any associated clinical symptoms; its Discussion also reports improvement in psychotic and anxiety-related symptoms in a schizophrenia trial. (LLM, conf=0.85)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
  • There is currently insufficient evidence for L-theanine to be recommended as a standalone or adjunctive therapeutic intervention for chronic stress or any psychiatric conditions.

    “However, there is currently insufficient evidence for L-theanine to be recommended as a standalone or adjunctive therapeutic intervention for chronic stress or any psychiatric conditions.”

    From Effects of L-theanine on cognition, mood and sleep: evidence from human trials (2026) · cites this paper as [32]

    The Conclusion says there is insufficient evidence that L-theanine reduces stress in people with chronic conditions. The Discussion reports no anxiety or mood benefit in a generalized-anxiety-disorder trial, but also reports benefits in a schizophrenia trial. The review does not make the broader claim that evidence is insufficient to recommend L-theanine, alone or as an adjunct, for any psychiatric condition. Page numbers are unavailable in our copy. (LLM, conf=0.84)

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Cites

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Research works printed but not linked: 2

  1. McEwen BS (2000) The neurobiology of stress: from serendipity to clinical relevance. Brain Res 886 (1-2):172-189
  2. Alteheld B, Scheid L, Stehle P et al. (2012) Kinetics of L-Theanine Uptake and Metabolism in Healthy Participants Are Comparable after Ingestion of L-Theanine via Capsules and Green Tea. J Nutr 142 (12):2091-2096

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Authors
Williams, J. L., Everett, J. M., D’Cunha, N. M., Sergi, D., Georgousopoulou, E. N., Keegan, R. J., McKune, A. J., Mellor, D. D., Anstice, N., & Naumovski, N.
Affiliations
  • University of Canberra (AU)
  • Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (AU)
  • Australian National University (AU)
  • Aston University (GB)
Corresponding author
Naumovski, Nenad
Venue
Plant Foods for Human Nutrition
Published
2019-11-22
Volume
75
Issue
1
Pages
12-23
ISSN
  • 0033-5134 (ISSN-L)
  • 0921-9668
  • 1573-9104
OpenAlex
W2989961068
Cited by
123
References
67
Citations by year
2026: 18 · 2025: 27 · 2024: 27 · 2023: 15 · 2022: 16 · 2021: 12 · 2020: 8
FWCI
1.34
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Plant Foods for Human Nutrition (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Aston Publications Explorer (Aston University) (acceptedVersion)
  • Institutional Research Information System University of Ferrara (University of Ferrara) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Pathology and Forensic Medicine › Tea Polyphenols and Effects
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Complementary and alternative medicine › Medicinal Plant Extracts Effects
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Biological Psychiatry › Tryptophan and brain disorders
Keywords
theanine, green tea, stress, anxiety, dietary supplementation, stress response, mood, cognitive function, amino acids
MeSH terms
Amino Acids, Anxiety, Glutamates, Humans, Tea, Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic

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