AlphaWave L-Theanine adds the ideal state of relaxed wakefulness to stress-management beverages

With the stress management and mental focus support supplements market continuing to experience significant growth,​ and consumers increasingly turning to alternative delivery formats other than capsules and tablets, functional foods and beverages are an area of immense opportunity.​

Formulators are seeking out Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) ingredients that can demonstrate safety and efficacy, while having qualities that fit well with manufacturing requirements.

Since its introduction in 2010, AlphaWave L-Theanine from Ethical Naturals Inc. (ENI) has become one of the most widely used stress relief and mental focus ingredients in the supplement market. Published clinical studies confirm key benefits of AlphaWave to be increased clarity and focus, relaxation without drowsiness, and decreased nervous tension.^1,2​

Companies creating beverages, mocktails, and coffee drinks designed to impart stress-relief and cognitive focus are turning to AlphaWave as a means to deliver the experience, function, and popularity of their brands.

AlphaWave L-Theanine: How it works​

A unique component of green tea, L-Theanine is a naturally occurring amino acid that was first identified in 1949. It is the component that gives tea its calming and relaxing qualities, balancing the effects of the caffeine content.³​ Because the amount of L-Theanine in green tea is small and varies from crop to crop, AlphaWave L-Theanine is produced by a primary fermentation and purification process that results in a fine white powder that is 98-100% pure L-Theanine.

Researchers who scrutinized the effects of AlphaWave L-Theanine have identified significantly increased alpha brainwave levels in moderately stressed adults.¹ ​Alpha brainwaves, as measured by electroencephalography (EEG), are linked to a state of relaxed wakefulness, when a person is awake but relaxed, such as during meditation.⁴​​ Scientists have also found that alpha brainwaves play a positive role in various cognitive processes such as creativity, attention, and memory.⁵​ AlphaWave clinical studies have confirmed these effects.

AlphaWave L-Theanine clinical studies show effectiveness and safety​

A significant clinical study on AlphaWave, published in Neurology and Health, ​September 2021, ​stated: ‘A 200mg dose of AlphaWave® L-Theanine improved physiological indicators of stress in response to the MAT test compared to the placebo, including frontal region alpha power and salivary cortisol. A 200 mg dose of AlphaWave L-Theanine was found to be safe and well tolerated and should be considered as a nutraceutical supplement to manage acute stress’. ¹​

The most recent study, published in Neurology and Therapy in May 2024,​ was designed to deepen the evidence of the safety and efficacy of AlphaWave by studying subjects ​over a longer period of time than previous research. This randomized, double-blind, parallel clinical trial enrolled 30 adults between 18 and 65 years of age who were supplemented with AlphaWave or placebo for 28 days. This study concluded that AlphaWave L-Theanine was safe, significantly decreased perceived stress, improved sleep quality, and enhanced cognitive attention in the studied population.²​

The safety of AlphaWave is further confirmed by its long history of use, its GRAS affirmation and recent approval as a listed medicine by the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). AlphaWave is the only form of L-Theanine permitted for manufacturing use in Australia.

AlphaWave’s ease of use in beverages​

The qualities that make AlphaWave ideal for use in liquid and powdered beverages are many, including:

• Highly purified and standardized to 98% L-Theanine
• Dissolves into a tasteless and odorless solution
• GRAS Affirmed
• TGA approved for use in Australia
• Highly stable under a wide range of pH and temperature conditions; detailed stability information is available from ENI
• Proprietary manufacturing process
• Non-GMO, Kosher and Halal certified
• Inventoried and supplied through ENI’s NSF certified current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) facility

"We began supplying AlphaWave to the supplement market, supporting it with clinical studies that showed clear benefits,” Cal Bewicke, CEO of Ethical Naturals comments.

“Clinical evidence and positive consumer experience have led to a strong, steady increase in demand. Undeniably, stress relief is much needed these days, and forward-thinking beverage brands are turning to AlphaWave to deliver those benefits.”

References​

1.​ Evans, M.; McDonald, A.C.; Xiong, L.; et al. (2021). A Randomized, Triple-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Crossover Study to Investigate the Efficacy of a Single Dose of AlphaWave^®​ L-Theanine on Stress in a Healthy Adult.​ Neurology and Therapy. Volume 10, pages 1061–1078.
2.​ Moulin, M.; Crowley, D. C.; Xiong, L.; et al. (2024). Safety and Efficacy of Alpha Wave® L‑Theanine Supplementation for 28 Days in Healthy Adults with Moderate Stress: A Randomized, Double‑Blind, Placebo‑Controlled Trial.​ Neurology and Therapy.
3.​ Juneja, L.R.; Chu, D-C.; Okubo, T.; et al .(1999). L-Theanine, a unique amino acid of green tea and its relaxation effect in humans.​ Trends in Food Science & Technology. 10, 199–204.
4.​ Lee, D. J.; Kulubya, E.; Goldin, P.; et al. (2018). Review of the Neural Oscillations Underlying Meditation.​ Frontiers in neuroscience, 12, 178.
5.​ Lustenberger, C.; Boyle, M. R.; Foulser, A. A.; et al. (2015). Functional role of frontal alpha oscillations in creativity.​ Cortex; a journal devoted to the study of the nervous system and behavior, 67, 74–82.

Additional References​

Williams, J. L.; Everett, J. M.; D'Cunha, N. M.; et al. (2020). The Effects of Green Tea Amino Acid L-Theanine Consumption on the Ability to Manage Stress and Anxiety Levels: a Systematic Review.​ Plant foods for human nutrition (Dordrecht, Netherlands), 75(1), 12–23.

Mason, R. (2001). 200 mg of Zen; L-theanine boosts alpha waves, promotes alert relaxation.​ Alternative & Complementary Therapies 7, 91-95.

Kimura, K.; Ozeki, M.; Juneja, L. R; et al. (2007). L-Theanine reduces psychological and physiological stress responses.​ Biological psychology, 74(1), 39–45.

Haskell, C. F.; Kennedy, D. O.; Milne, A. L.; et al. (2008). The effects of L-theanine, caffeine and their combination on cognition and mood.​ Biological psychology, 77(2), 113–122.