It's been a while...

I have been on the road a bit which has kept me pretty busy. However, I continue to find interesting items particularly regarding the health benefits of green tea (think Matcha). This latest entry is focused a recent research article describing the positive benefits of on bone metabolism from the catechins found in green tea (h/t futurepundit).

From the press release, "The scientists exposed a group of cultured bone-forming cells (osteoblasts) to three major green tea components — epigallocatechin (EGC), gallocatechin (GC), and gallocatechin gallate (GCG) — for several days. They found that one in particular, EGC, boosted the activity of a key enzyme that promotes bone growth by up to 79 percent. EGC also significantly boosted levels of bone mineralization in the cells, which strengthens bones. The scientists also showed that high concentrations of ECG blocked the activity of a type of cell (osteoclast) that breaks down or weakens bones. The green tea components did not cause any toxic effects to the bone cells, they note." Interesting results that we will continue to track in future studies.

While green tea has received a great deal of attention due to it's demonstrated effect with weight loss (see another link here sent to me by Todd Smith) there is increasing evidence of other benefits from green tea. Now consider this, that Matcha is the highest quality and most nutrient rich green tea available.

Chi-Oka Matcha and L-Theanine

L-theanine has been getting a lot of attention from drink companies lately. L-theanine can now be found in some types of SoBe Lifewater, Vitamin Water and the king of them all, Gatorade, has decided to add this new wonder supplement into a new drink called Gatorade Tiger Focus. This new drink, a collaboration between one of the world's best golfers, Tiger Woods, and Gatorade, one of the world's largest sports drinks manufacturers, contains L-theanine and more electrolytes than previous Gatorade drinks.

In a Gatorade press release, Tiger said, "I've experienced a lot of amazing moments in my golf career, but Gatorade Tiger is taking me someplace I never imagined with this campaign. I’m really excited about how this launch has come together because it brings to life that I’m always thinking about taking my game to the next level.”

Supposedly, Tiger Woods has been taking L-theanine for some time now and credits his renowned ability to concentrate on the golf course to this wonder amino acid.

A this point, you're asking yourself, "What is L-theanine and why should I take it?"

I'll try not to get too techincal, but here's the shpeel:

What is it?

L-theanine is a non-protein amino acid found predominantly in the green tea plant (Camellia sinensis). In fact, L-theanine makes up ~50% of the total free amino acids in the tea plant! That's a lot.

Why Take It?

Because you want to golf like Tiger Woods.

Seriously though, L-theanine is taken by Tiger and others to: increase focus, stay calm, and reduce stress levels. Studies have shown that L-theanine increases alpha waves as measured using an electroencephalogram (EEG). While the brain and how it works is incredibly complex, it is believed that this increase in activity correlates with an increase in focus. There is also some evidence that it can slow heart rate and has a calming effect.

What about Bios Life E?

Both Bios Life E Super Mental Focus and Bios Life E Super Energy Boost contain naturally-occuring L-theanine. The L-theanine in Bios Life E comes from the green tea in our Chi-Oka Matcha blend. This blend has a mix of lots of healthy antioxidants like green tea, blueberry, pomegranate, apple, and resveratrol.

Add another notch to the belt of Bios Life E

Not to blow our own horn, but Bios Life E is a great energy drink. There are no energy drinks out there that have as much going for them as our does. I know, I've looked at probably close to a hundred. Other energy drinks are either loaded with sugar, have very few antioxidants, have lower levels of B vitamins, etc. I think; however, that the motherload for us is our proprietary Chi-Oka Matcha blend. Green tea has so much science supporting its health boosting effects, from lowering LDL levels to boosting memory, that this ingredient helps us stand head and shoulders above everyone else.