What affects this is which part of the plant is used to make that tea: buds and young shoots are the richest in theine, while the stems and lower leaves are almost devoid of it. The caffeine/theine concentration in tea is not a function of its color, which means there is no direct correlation. Is there more theine in green tea? Not necessarily. However, it is known that Japanese teas contain a significant amount of vitamin C, which makes them more stimulating in theory than Chinese or Indian teas. The question of which teas are the most exciting when it comes to additional compounds is constantly debated. It is also important to know that the concentration of theine / caffeine is three to four times lower in a cup of tea than in a cup of coffee.įinally, not everyone feels the effects in the same way: some people are particularly sensitive to it, while others can continue to drink cups of coffee or tea without any particular effect. Less than 2 minutes means an increased stimulating effect. Tea leaves also contain many vitamins(C, A, B1, B2, B6, B9, E, K), which have beneficial effects on the whole body.ĭuration is decisive when infusing your tea: Theanine, an amino acid present in tea, has a relaxing effect counterbalancing the effects of theine. So, to maximize the stimulating effects of a tea, to wake you up for example, you should steep your tea for less than two minutes! The thearubigins released afterwards counteract this effect and reduce the action of theine on the brain. When tea is brewed, theine is released first, before the tannins: therefore it’s in the first moments of the infusion that tea will be the strongest. This is why it is said that, unlike coffee, 'tea stimulates without irritating'.Īnother type of tannins, thearubigins, tends to reduce the effect of theine on the body. Caffeine present in coffee, on the other hand, is released quickly producing a peak of intensity that falls after a period of 2 to 3 hours, which is that 'crash' we are all familiar with. This means that theine is released into the bloodstream uniformly over a long period of time, lasting between 6 to 8 hours. Oxydized polyphenols (tannins)in tea bind the effect of theine. Some of the positive effects brought on by the additional components of tea include: However, it is the other natural components present in tea leaves, which coffee lacks, that determine the effect of theine and how our bodies assimilate it. Theine and caffeine are stimulants for the central nervous system. What is the difference between theine and caffeine? In order to provide some clarity, in this article we will refer to the caffeine in tea as 'theine' so that you can distinguish and compare the different effects of both coffee and tea.

Though the word “theine” isn’t necessarily wrong, “caffeine” is actually the correct way of referring to it. Will tea prevent you from sleeping? Which teas have the highest concentration of theine? Can we de-theinize our tea? Let's dive into the interesting world of caffeine and theine!īefore going any further, it is important to understand that the words 'theine' and 'caffeine' refer to the same molecule. Truth is they’re the same molecule, however, the effects of tea are significantly different from those of coffee. Bealer, The World of Caffeine (2001).Is there caffeine in tea? Caffeine and theine are known for their stimulating effects. Physical dependence and unpleasant symptoms upon withdrawal (headache, fatigue, depression) are common in regular caffeine users. The effects of caffeine vary from person to person, as people excrete it at different rates.

It increases the heart rate, blood pressure, and urination and stimulates secretion of stomach acids excessive intake can result in restlessness, insomnia, and heart irregularities. When used in moderation, caffeine acts as a mild stimulant to the nervous system, blocking the neurotransmitter adenosine and resulting in a feeling of well-being and alertness. While relatively harmless, it is the most commonly used mind-altering drug in the world. It can also be prepared synthetically from uric acid. Caffeine (kăfēnˈ), odorless, slightly bitter alkaloid found in coffee, tea, kola nuts (see cola), ilex plants (the source of the Latin American drink maté), and, in small amounts, in cocoa (see cacao).

Theine free tea meaning