Improving mental regeneration after physical exercise

Background Nutritional interventions to improve physical regeneration after exercise are usual practice among recreational and professional athletes. Frequent strategies include rehydration, in addition to supplementation with macronutrients to replenish depleted glycogen stores, or to support muscle growth and/or maintenance. Physically challenging exercise results in a significant activation of brain activity and no nutritional strategies have yet been developed to improve mental regeneration after exercise. L-Theanine, an amino acid found in green tea leaves, might be able to improve mental regeneration since it has been linked to reducing mental stress and having relaxing effects. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study was performed to evaluate the effects of 50 or 200 mg L-theanine supplementation on mental regeneration and hormonal response to physical exercise.