Tea is a natural source of L-Theanine that has direct effect on the brain and helps to activate pathways that lower stress and create calm and relaxation, a study has found
Tea is a natural source of L-Theanine that has direct effect on the brain and helps to activate pathways that lower stress and create calm and relaxation, a study has found
Tea is a natural source of L-Theanine that has direct effect on the brain and helps to activate pathways that lower stress and create calm and relaxation, a study has found
Tea is a natural source of L-Theanine that has direct effect on the brain and helps to activate pathways that lower stress and create calm and relaxation, a study has found

Two cups of tea daily 'improves sleep quality and stress management'


Marwa Hassan
  • English
  • Arabic

A cup of tea can do more than just warm you up and provide comfort.

According to a new systematic review of 33 different studies, including eight human intervention trials, drinking tea can help improve sleep quality and stress management.

The review found that several types of tea, including regular black tea, green tea, German Chamomile, Lavender, Rose, Jasmine and Passionflower, contain active compounds that can boost relaxation and reduce stress.

In particular, tea is a natural source of L-Theanine, an amino acid that has direct effects on the brain, helping to activate pathways that lower stress and create calm and relaxation.

Dr Tim Bond, a member of Tea Advisory Panel and author of the study, notes that at intakes as low as two cups a day, green tea, oolong, and the classic British "cuppa" have been shown to have an effect.

Dr Bond told The National: "Tea is the main natural source of L-theanine in our diet. Teas and herbal infusions also contain a range of polyphenols which act as anti-inflammatories and antioxidants which can contribute to good sleep.

"The flavonoid, apigenin, present in chamomile, is thought to be responsible for the sleep promoting effects of chamomile."

The study — commissioned by TAP and written by nutrition and well-being experts — also found that while herbal tea infusions are better known for their calming properties they can also lower stress and lead to better sleep.

It is no secret that getting a good night's sleep is essential to maintaining overall health and well-being.

According to studies from the UK, US, and Netherlands, one in four adults gets fewer than the recommended 7-9 hours of sleep per night.

Teas such as black, green and various herbal blends, contain active compounds including L-theanine that were found to promote relaxation. PA
Teas such as black, green and various herbal blends, contain active compounds including L-theanine that were found to promote relaxation. PA

Women over 40 are the worst affected, with the shortest sleep durations and poor sleep efficiency, while half of teenagers sleep less than the optimal 8-10 hours a night for their age group.

Drinking tea can help break the vicious cycle of stress and poor sleep, the review suggests.

Dr Bond said that a study of 18 young volunteers found that the aroma of black tea and Darjeeling tea, before consumption, helped in reducing stress and improving mood.

Drinking passionflower tea was found to improve sleep quality in a study of 41 adults, while two daily cups of matcha green tea significantly reduced anxiety levels in young adults.

"Six weeks of black (regular) tea lowered stress hormone levels and increased relaxation in a group of men asked to perform stressful mental tasks. Elderly adults drinking lavender tea twice daily had lower anxiety and depression levels," Dr Bond said

Poor sleep has been linked to an increased risk of type 2 diabetes, obesity, hypertension, depression and impaired immune function. It can also affect cognitive performance and impede decision-making.

Dr Gill Jenkins, a GP, warns about the health risks of getting too little high-quality sleep.

She notes that having less than six hours of sleep a night has been found to boost levels of C-reactive protein and increase markers of liver damage.

Incorporating two cups of tea into our evening routines could make a significant difference in our sleep quality and overall health, according to the review.

“Lifestyle changes including tea drinking and sleep hygiene can make a difference,” Dr Bond notes.

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
  • Priority access to new homes from participating developers
  • Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
  • Flexible payment plans from developers
  • Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
  • DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Kat Wightman's tips on how to create zones in large spaces

 

  • Area carpets or rugs are the easiest way to segregate spaces while also unifying them.
  • Lighting can help define areas. Try pendant lighting over dining tables, and side and floor lamps in living areas.
  • Keep the colour palette the same in a room, but combine different tones and textures in different zone. A common accent colour dotted throughout the space brings it together.
  • Don’t be afraid to use furniture to break up the space. For example, if you have a sofa placed in the middle of the room, a console unit behind it will give good punctuation.
  • Use a considered collection of prints and artworks that work together to form a cohesive journey.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Four motivational quotes from Alicia's Dubai talk

“The only thing we need is to know that we have faith. Faith and hope in our own dreams. The belief that, when we keep going we’re going to find our way. That’s all we got.”

“Sometimes we try so hard to keep things inside. We try so hard to pretend it’s not really bothering us. In some ways, that hurts us more. You don’t realise how dishonest you are with yourself sometimes, but I realised that if I spoke it, I could let it go.”

“One good thing is to know you’re not the only one going through it. You’re not the only one trying to find your way, trying to find yourself, trying to find amazing energy, trying to find a light. Show all of yourself. Show every nuance. All of your magic. All of your colours. Be true to that. You can be unafraid.”

“It’s time to stop holding back. It’s time to do it on your terms. It’s time to shine in the most unbelievable way. It’s time to let go of negativity and find your tribe, find those people that lift you up, because everybody else is just in your way.”

How being social media savvy can improve your well being

Next time when procastinating online remember that you can save thousands on paying for a personal trainer and a gym membership simply by watching YouTube videos and keeping up with the latest health tips and trends.

As social media apps are becoming more and more consumed by health experts and nutritionists who are using it to awareness and encourage patients to engage in physical activity.

Elizabeth Watson, a personal trainer from Stay Fit gym in Abu Dhabi suggests that “individuals can use social media as a means of keeping fit, there are a lot of great exercises you can do and train from experts at home just by watching videos on YouTube”.

Norlyn Torrena, a clinical nutritionist from Burjeel Hospital advises her clients to be more technologically active “most of my clients are so engaged with their phones that I advise them to download applications that offer health related services”.

Torrena said that “most people believe that dieting and keeping fit is boring”.

However, by using social media apps keeping fit means that people are “modern and are kept up to date with the latest heath tips and trends”.

“It can be a guide to a healthy lifestyle and exercise if used in the correct way, so I really encourage my clients to download health applications” said Mrs Torrena.

People can also connect with each other and exchange “tips and notes, it’s extremely healthy and fun”.

The smuggler

Eldarir had arrived at JFK in January 2020 with three suitcases, containing goods he valued at $300, when he was directed to a search area.
Officers found 41 gold artefacts among the bags, including amulets from a funerary set which prepared the deceased for the afterlife.
Also found was a cartouche of a Ptolemaic king on a relief that was originally part of a royal building or temple. 
The largest single group of items found in Eldarir’s cases were 400 shabtis, or figurines.

Khouli conviction

Khouli smuggled items into the US by making false declarations to customs about the country of origin and value of the items.
According to Immigration and Customs Enforcement, he provided “false provenances which stated that [two] Egyptian antiquities were part of a collection assembled by Khouli's father in Israel in the 1960s” when in fact “Khouli acquired the Egyptian antiquities from other dealers”.
He was sentenced to one year of probation, six months of home confinement and 200 hours of community service in 2012 after admitting buying and smuggling Egyptian antiquities, including coffins, funerary boats and limestone figures.

For sale

A number of other items said to come from the collection of Ezeldeen Taha Eldarir are currently or recently for sale.
Their provenance is described in near identical terms as the British Museum shabti: bought from Salahaddin Sirmali, "authenticated and appraised" by Hossen Rashed, then imported to the US in 1948.

- An Egyptian Mummy mask dating from 700BC-30BC, is on offer for £11,807 ($15,275) online by a seller in Mexico

- A coffin lid dating back to 664BC-332BC was offered for sale by a Colorado-based art dealer, with a starting price of $65,000

- A shabti that was on sale through a Chicago-based coin dealer, dating from 1567BC-1085BC, is up for $1,950

HEY%20MERCEDES%2C%20WHAT%20CAN%20YOU%20DO%20FOR%20ME%3F
%3Cp%3EMercedes-Benz's%20MBUX%20digital%20voice%20assistant%2C%20Hey%20Mercedes%2C%20allows%20users%20to%20set%20up%20commands%20for%3A%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Navigation%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Calls%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20In-car%20climate%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Ambient%20lighting%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Media%20controls%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Driver%20assistance%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20General%20inquiries%20such%20as%20motor%20data%2C%20fuel%20consumption%20and%20next%20service%20schedule%2C%20and%20even%20funny%20questions%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EThere's%20also%20a%20hidden%20feature%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20pressing%20and%20holding%20the%20voice%20command%20button%20on%20the%20steering%20wheel%20activates%20the%20voice%20assistant%20on%20a%20connected%20smartphone%20%E2%80%93%20Siri%20on%20Apple's%20iOS%20or%20Google%20Assistant%20on%20Android%20%E2%80%93%20enabling%20a%20user%20to%20command%20the%20car%20even%20without%20Apple%20CarPlay%20or%20Android%20Auto%3C%2Fp%3E%0A

North Pole stats

Distance covered: 160km

Temperature: -40°C

Weight of equipment: 45kg

Altitude (metres above sea level): 0

Terrain: Ice rock

South Pole stats

Distance covered: 130km

Temperature: -50°C

Weight of equipment: 50kg

Altitude (metres above sea level): 3,300

Terrain: Flat ice
 

Warlight,
Michael Ondaatje, Knopf 

Key facilities
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
  • Premier League-standard football pitch
  • 400m Olympic running track
  • NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
  • 600-seat auditorium
  • Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
  • An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
  • Specialist robotics and science laboratories
  • AR and VR-enabled learning centres
  • Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Biog:

Age: 34

Favourite superhero: Batman

Favourite sport: anything extreme

Favourite person: Muhammad Ali 

Updated: November 28, 2023, 12:46 PM`