Some beverage manufacturers say they have just the solution. They're touting a new kind of drink that emphasizes focus over ferocity. The key substance is the amino acid L-theanine, which preliminary research suggests might calm the brain to enhance concentration and mental stamina.
Certain formulations of SoBe Lifewater and Vitamin Water now contain L-theanine, as does a new beverage called ViB. And Gatorade recently introduced a drink with the amino acid as well, called Tiger.
L-theanine is not a new discovery. The substance comes from the Camellia sinensis plant species, otherwise known as TEA.
Much less is known about the benefits of L-theanine when it's extracted from tea and packed into pills or blended into beverages at quadruple the dose. The studies done on L-theanine thus far have been small, funded largely by companies with an interest in the product. That's not surprising. Early research on a potential supplement is often done by companies that believe there's a profit to be made. What remains to be seen is whether large-scale studies will back up early findings.
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