Diet and Stress (Adult Population)

The CNP Diet and Stress Research Category consolidates research exploring the interdependent relationship between dietary intake and stress. To view each original study on the open internet, click “Original.” To view the CNP-written abstract summary, click “CNP Summary.” While only some of the CNP-written abstract summaries are available below for free, all abstract summaries are available to CNP members through the CNP Library Membership.

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FEATURED CNP RESEARCH SUMMARY

The effects of green tea amino acid L-theanine consumption on the ability to manage stress and anxiety levels: A systematic review

Amino acids found in green tea, namely, L-theanine (L-THE), which has been linked to a number of health advantages, including enhancements of mood and cognition and a decrease in stress- and anxiety-like symptoms. In human randomized controlled trials, this systematic review by Williams et al. (2020) assessed the impact of oral dietary supplements containing pure L-THE on anxiety levels and stress reactions. Nine peer-reviewed journal articles where L-THE, used as a supplement and compared to controls, were selected using the PRISMA criteria (the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses). According to the authors, supplementing with 200–400 mg/day of L-THE may help persons who are exposed to stressful situations feel less stressed and anxious. Despite this conclusion, the authors recommend conducting more extensive clinical research with a bigger cohort, including trials in which L-THE is frequently introduced into the diet, in order to clinically support the use of L-THE as a therapeutic agent to lessen stress and anxiety in those exposed to stressful situations.