Now that summer is ending and many of us are experiencing the cooler temperatures of autumn, our thoughts turn to warm drinks. There’s nothing quite so comforting as a warm cup of tea before bed. Studies have shown that drinking tea before bed can help provide a better night’s sleep and higher quality of sleep. This is significant because according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), more than one-third of American adults are not getting enough sleep on a regular basis. But which tea is best?
Oolong tea has many health benefits, but some are particularly geared toward better sleep.
Reduced Stress
Oolong tea contains an amino acid called L-theanine that is best recognized for creating a sense of relaxation by reducing stress and anxiety. Scientific research shows that L-theanine stimulates alpha waves in your brain, which are associated with a relaxed, focused state of mind. One recent study concluded that L-theanine decreased the stress and anxiety levels of people with acute stress.
Improved Sleep
A recent clinical trial conducted at the National Institute of Mental Health in Japan demonstrated L-theanine’s ability to promote quality sleep. When L-theanine was taken before bedtime, it enhanced the quality of sleep of all the test subjects. In fact, all the participants reported a significant absence of “feeling exhausted.” In addition, the study found that L-theanine produced a notable improvement in what is known as sleep efficiency, an index of actual sleep time enjoyed between the time of falling asleep and the final morning wakening.
Powerful Antioxidants
Oolong tea contains a range of antioxidants. Antioxidants are nutrients that protect our cells from damage caused by aging, our lifestyle, and the environment. Antioxidants help relieve restlessness at bedtime.
Traditionally, oolong tea contains caffeine. However, Purely Native, offers a decaffeinated version. Usually when a tea is decaffeinated it loses some of its flavor. That is not the case with this decaf oolong tea. A time-tested method is used when decaffeinating our oolong teas so that all the aromatic flavor profiles stay within the tea. So, go ahead and cozy up with a cup of oolong tea before bed and get the sleep you need.