Alertness

Many people enjoy a cup of fragrant tea, especially during hot summers when it can help us cool down and refresh our minds. However, some report difficulty sleeping or insomnia after drinking tea. So, does tea really cause insomnia? What is the scientific truth behind this? Let's explore. Excitatory Substances in Tea Tea contains abundant excitatory substances such as caffeine and theanine, which can stimulate the central nervous system and keep one alert. Drinking tea, especially strong tea, before bedtime can result in excessive caffeine and theanine causing sustained brain excitement, making it difficult to fall asleep. Caffeine: Caffeine is a purine alkaloid that has stimulating effects on the central nervous system, helps with mental alertness, and acts as a diuretic. The caffeine content in tea generally ranges from 2% to 5%, with green tea having the highest content, followed by black tea, oolong tea, and white tea. Theanine: Theanine is an amino acid that has calming, nerve-soothing, and anxiety-relieving effects. However, under the influence of caffeine, its calming effect may be offset, leading to an excitatory characteristic instead. Are There Other Factors Besides Caffeine? Besides the excitatory substances in tea, other factors might also contribute to insomnia after drinking…