L-Theanine and Coffee: “Best Idea Ever”Why L-Theanine Belongs in Your Coffee What is L-Theanine? 4 Benefits of L-Theanine and Caffeine What Happens When You Add Theanine to Coffee? Conclusion: We Made Coffee Smarter   High-quality coffee is more than a luxury beverage.  Science tells us it’s a smart drug, appetite suppressant, and athletic performance enhancer all rolled into one[1][2][3]. But have you ever thought maybe coffee might be missing something? We’re bold enough to ask whether coffee can be made better, and it turns out the answer is yes. L-theanine is a unique amino acid that enhances the effects of caffeine, reduces jitters, and helps you focus[4][5][6].  Keep reading to learn the health benefits of theanine, what happens when you drink coffee with l-theanine, and a whole new way to use coffee to reach your full potential.   What is L-Theanine? L-theanine (or theanine) is a rare amino acid found in only two places in nature. It occurs in tea and in a rare edible mushroom species called Bay Bolete[7]. You’ve probably heard that amino acids are the basic building blocks of life. That’s true, but theanine is different from other amino acids. When you consume l-theanine orally, it crosses your blood-brain barrier[8]. And that’s when things get interesting, to say the least. Scientists think that l-theanine acts through several different pathways in the brain:   It decreases the action of excitatory neurotransmitters in the brain--the ones associated with problems like anxiety[9].  At the same time, research suggests l-theanine increases the action of other neurotransmitters, including dopamine, serotonin, and GABA[9].  Last but not least, theanine appears to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects in the brain and nervous system[10].    Next, you’ll learn more about the benefits of theanine and caffeine, plus the smartest way to take them.   4 Benefits of L-Theanine and Caffeine 1. Calm focus without jitters L-theanine smooths out the harsh effects of caffeine, making it work better for sustained focus. Whereas a high dose of caffeine makes you feel more stressed out mentally and physically, theanine supports lower stress levels[5]. Here’s what the authors of a 2017 controlled trial have to say about the combination: “Consumed together, caffeine and theanine exert similar cognitive effects to that of caffeine alone, but exert opposite effects on arousal, in that caffeine accentuates and theanine mitigates physiological and felt stress responses”[5]. Imagine a mellower version of Adderall. One that doesn’t cause dry mouth or heart palpitations (or require a prescription). When you’re calm, focused, and relaxed, you perform better. A 2008 trial found that the combination of 100 mg L-theanine and 50 mg caffeine improved speed and accuracy performance on an attention-switching task[11]. The combo also made participants less susceptible to distractions compared to caffeine-only.  And a separate 2008 study showed that 250 mg of theanine with 150 mg caffeine led to greater improvements in reaction time, better working memory with numbers, increased alertness, and decreased reports of headaches and tiredness compared to caffeine by itself[12].   2. Brain alpha waves Alpha waves are a special type of brain wave that can only be detected by an electroencephalogram (EEG). These waves occur between 7-13 hertz (cycles per second) and relate to a state of “wakeful relaxation” or calm focus[13]. Research shows that by itself, caffeine can reduce alpha wave activity[6]. Imagine having a case of ADHD caused by excess coffee.  That’s essentially what happens when you take too much caffeine by itself. Your mind goes nowhere...very, very fast. On the other hand, theanine by itself increases alpha wave activity, which is a good thing[6]. A clinical trial with people who had either low or high anxiety levels found that taking 200 milligrams of l-theanine increased alpha wave activity within 30 minutes[14]. More importantly, the alpha wave activity led to a relaxed, non-anxious state in all participants[14]. And when you take theanine and caffeine together? There’s even more alpha wave activity than theanine alone, at least according to early evidence[6].   3. Dopamine goes through the roof Evidence suggests that caffeine and coffee can stimulate dopamine release from cells[15]. Dopamine could be a major reason why most people reach for coffee when they’re fatigued or low on motivation[16]. And according to animal evidence, l-theanine can also increase dopamine release in the brain[8][17]. Why would you want more dopamine? Higher dopamine levels are associated with increased cognitive function, faster learning, better memory, and heightened motivation[18]. It’s too early to say for sure, but there’s a significant chance that adding theanine to your daily caffeine dose could result in a bigger dopamine boost than caffeine (or coffee) alone.   4. Balanced levels of serotonin and other neurotransmitters Theanine may increase levels of key neurotransmitters in your brain, such as serotonin and GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid)[19]. Serotonin is a “feel-good” neurotransmitter that’s associated with positive mood, happiness, and stress resilience[20]. And healthy levels of GABA are associated with a calmer mood, better sleep, and less anxiety[21][22][23]. At the same time, theanine appears to inhibit the effects of “excitatory” neurotransmitters like glutamate at the NMDA receptor[19][24]. Excessive NMDA activity correlates to high stress and anxiety levels[25]. In other words, theanine may support balanced levels of neurotransmitters in your brain, which could help you feel great.  According to a 2019 randomized controlled trial, “L-theanine has the potential to promote mental health in the general population with stress-related ailments and cognitive impairments”[26].   What Happens When You Add Theanine to Coffee? The effects of theanine are very different when taken alone versus combined with caffeine. Theanine alone is calming, but doesn’t boost focus. Add some caffeine and you’ve got the perfect formula for calm focus and productivity.  The problem? Getting your dose right. Theanine occurs naturally in green tea, but the concentration is very low.  Green and black teas are around 0.5-0.6% theanine by weight, which provides a dose of about 15-18 mg of theanine per serving of tea[27] A typical cup of tea also contains around 45-60 milligrams of caffeine[27]. In contrast, high-quality coffee naturally contains an average of approximately 180 milligrams of caffeine per serving, but no l-theanine[28].  As we already discussed, studies of theanine examine the effects of theanine supplements combined with caffeine. But oftentimes, researchers use doses of l-theanine and caffeine much higher than you can obtain from drinking tea or, of course, normal coffee. A 2017 clinical trial gave participants 200 milligrams of l-theanine and 160 milligrams of caffeine and discovered[4]:  Faster visual reaction times Higher levels of attention that correspond to decision-making The effects of caffeine and theanine are synergistic in higher doses Keep in mind that the researchers used, in their words, l-theanine and caffeine “doses equivalent to the amounts found in 6–10 cups of tea”[4]. Also in their words, they “did not find one cup of tea to have a significant effect on measures of attention”[4].  The bottom line? A single cup of tea won’t cut it. Unless you have the time and patience to sit around and drink about ten cups of tea, you simply won’t get the combined benefits of l-theanine and caffeine. But we add 150 mg of theanine to our coffee (which is also standardized to 180 mg caffeine), meaning you can get the best of both worlds, without a nasty caffeine crash.   Conclusion: We Made Coffee Smarter Coffee is incredibly effective at enhancing cognition, physical performance, and fat loss[1][3][29]. It’s also delicious. But that doesn’t mean it can’t be improved, and at Strong Coffee Company, we’ve cracked the code for superior coffee. We add 150 milligrams of theanine per serving, a research-backed dosage that (unlike a cup of tea) is more than enough for all the benefits of this valuable amino acid. Not only that, we also test to ensure our coffee contains precisely 180 mg of caffeine per serving. Caffeine content at commercial coffee shops varies day-to-day by up to 217%, which we found ridiculous and unacceptable[28]. We’ve also added hard-hitting ingredients like MCTs and collagen protein (with added l-tryptophan so you don’t rack up a serotonin imbalance--those are a bitch)[29]. Want to discover what you’ve been missing out on by not drinking Strong Coffee? For a limited time only, receive 15% off your first order. Please use code STRONGSCIENCE at checkout.  
Why coffee makes the best & safest pre-workoutCoffee before a workout: an ergogenic effect   Pre-workouts have saturated the fitness/health industry for a long time now. Let's be honest; there's a lot of stuff out there that you probably don't need to take. Caffeine levels vary. You have to be careful with proper servings. You're forced to ingest whatever other ingredients get mixed in. Then there are the possible side effects of taking pre-workouts; you might want to ask yourself, is this right for me? Are the desired ergogenic effects happening? Is this what my body really needs? These pre-workouts can give you the jitters or increase water retention. Some people experience mild reactions like an uncomfortable tingling sensation in their hands and feet. If you ask me, that makes the prospect of working out way less desirable when I could possibly feel these things after taking a pre-workout.   What is the meaning of ergogenic?   Ergogenic is defined as something intended to aid in performance enhancement, stamina, or even recovery from the muscle pain we feel post-workout. Something that is ergogenic will help you do better when it comes to your fitness. Enter the supplements! Supplements are supposed to be ergogenic (help aid you), and this why they're so popular within the walls of the fitness-industrial complex. What if I told you that coffee is an excellent alternative to many of the manufactured supplements out there?   Is coffee good before a workout?   The research is very encouraging when using coffee as a pre-workout. The main effect of caffeine on the body is to increase alertness and arousal. This combination can help make your workout experience not feel so bad – dare I say it could make you feel like you're kicking ass! It also possible that consuming coffee before performing your workout can help to burn fat. That's a big part of why we do it, right?! A fresh cup of java can help you get rid of that stubborn fat!     How does caffeine help burn fat?   That cup of joe you take before your workout can help get your body primed to burn fat. During a typical workout, your body uses glycogen as the primary energy source. Glycogen is a stored version of glucose, which is the body's preferred energy source and a vital one. This next step is how the caffeine in coffee works as an ergogenic aid. When glycogen stores run out in the body during your workout, muscles get weaker. That's when you start to bonk during a workout and not feel as strong. The body has the incredible ability to switch to burning fat for fuel. That's right! Your muscles can use fat for energy. The caffeine from coffee can speed up that process, so your muscles are burning fat faster. This can also have the bonus ergogenic effect of preserving glycogen stores and allowing muscles to function longer before becoming exhausted. That means a better workout experience overall from the effects of caffeine! A study in the International Journal of Sports Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism goes on to explain the benefits of a hot cup of black coffee. It turns out that people could burn 15% more calories for three hours post-exercise compared to the people that weren't having coffee. They also discovered that drinking caffeine in the morning helped to keep your daily caloric intake where it should be. The study found that people who drank caffeine consumed, on average, 72 fewer calories.   What are some benefits of coffee before a workout? The obvious benefit is how alert you are during your workout. This helps you stay focused, keep good form, and keep the risk of an injury down. According to a study conducted by the University of Illinois, another benefit is that consuming coffee can reduce the muscular pain felt during and after exercise. This allows you to get a better workout experience!   Conclusion The next time you're reaching for that pre-workout supplement, take a moment to think about what you're putting in your body. Good old black coffee is probably all you really need. This ergogenic aid will help you get the most out of our workout and give you the energy required to stay alert and safe during your exercise experience. Me, I'd prefer to enjoy that cup of joe over a pre-workout supplement any day.  
How to Increase BDNF: 10 Ways to Rescue Your BrainHow to Increase BDNF: 10 Ways to Rescue Your Brain What Is Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF)? The Science Behind BDNF How to Increase BDNF: 10 Ways to Raise Your BDNF Levels Why Strong Coffe Is Like Winning the BDNF Lottery Conclusion: Higher BDNF for Better Brain Function   Have you heard of BDNF? Relax, you don’t need to choose a safe word. Actually, BDNF is more like aftercare for your brain, helping your neurons heal and form new connections despite the pounding they take during your daily grind. Read on to learn why BDNF is incredibly important for brain health, how to immediately increase your BDNF levels, and the easiest way of all to boost BDNF on a daily basis. What Is Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF)? Brain-derived neurotrophic factor, BDNF for short, is a growth factor and peptide (long-chain protein). The name comes from the Greek neuro for “nerve” and trophis “pertaining to food, nourishment, or growth.” What does BDNF do? In a nutshell, BDNF supports the survival of neurons and brain cells, promotes synaptic connections between neurons, and is essential for learning and long-term memory storage[1][2][3].  For adults, BDNF also plays a vital role in neurogenesis (the creation of new neurons from stem cells)[4]. BDNF also occurs in the kidneys, blood plasma, and saliva, but its most important functions take place in the brain and central nervous system[5][6]. The Science Behind BDNF  What is the role of BDNF in the brain? Here’s what cutting-edge science tells us about BDNF and its role in brain health and more. Check out this list of fast facts: Aging leads to lower levels of BDNF, which appear to cause shrinkage of gray matter and reductions in the number of synapses, making learning and forming memories harder[7].  Antidepressants may work by increasing BDNF[8][9]. Depression and anxiety correlate with lower BDNF levels, but antidepressants may increase BDNF expression and reverse shrinkage of the hippocampus[9][10]. Cannabinoids like THC increase BDNF levels in people who don’t smoke cannabis regularly, but not in chronic smokers, which could be why weed can wreck your memory (sorry, stoners)[11]. People with low BDNF levels may be more likely to have drinking problems, according to a 2019 study (Gorka et al.) that found associations between low BDNF, anxiety, and binge drinking. Alzheimer’s and dementia patients have severely low BDNF[13][14]. Some scientists think that boosting BDNF levels could help preserve their brain function[15]. Other evidence suggests the higher your BDNF, the lower your risk of Alzheimer’s and dementia[16]. To sum up, BDNF plays active roles in the hippocampus, prefrontal cortex, and other brain areas[17]. As these areas are associated with memory and cognition, BDNF appears to be critical for higher brain functions as well as maintaining the health of brain cells. The BDNF Gene Like most proteins in your body, BDNF is encoded by a gene.  The BDNF gene provides your cells instructions for making BDNF[18]. In some people (about 30% of Europeans), a mutation known as rs6265 or the Val66Met polymorphism results in lower BDNF levels[7].  People with this mutation have structural differences in their hippocampus, prefrontal cortex, parahippocampal gyrus, and amygdala[7].  They also tend to perform poorly on verbal tasks, working memory tests, and spatial tasks[7]. A 2011 study of middle-aged pilots also found Val66Met carriers experienced more skill decline and age-related decreases in hippocampal volume (the area of the brain associated with memory) compared to people without the mutation[19].   Should you get tested for Val66Met? That’s up to you. But it’s probably not worth it to turn your DNA over to a big corporation just to find out your memory is shit. Besides, some evidence suggests Val66Met carries can compensate in other ways for their shortcomings[7] Bottom line: regardless of which BDNF gene you carry, prioritize taking good care of your brain and doing everything possible to increase BDNF levels. How to Increase BDNF: 10 Ways to Raise Your BDNF Levels  Now that you understand how valuable and essential BDNF is, you’re probably wondering: “How can I increase my BDNF?” We’ve dug deep into the peer-reviewed research. Here’s everything you need to do to keep your BDNF levels high for life. 1. Control Stress and Inflammation Levels Let’s begin with the basics. Chronic stress and inflammation are terrible for your overall health, and BDNF is no exception. Before you get too fancy, start here: Avoid processed foods and sugar[20]. Manage stress[21]. Get plenty of sleep[22] Obesity, insulin resistance, and type 2 diabetes are all associated with lower BDNF levels[23][24]. If you’re dealing with these issues, your very first step should be to cut out crap foods.  Even if you aren’t overweight or insulin resistant, sugary processed foods may still tank your BDNF[20]. Yoga and meditation are effective ways to manage stress and increase BDNF levels, according to a 2017 paper (Cahn et al.)[21]. And getting enough sleep is essential for a healthy brain and healthy BDNF levels[22]. But when you’re stressed, your need for sleep may be even higher[23]. 2. Exercise Regularly  Studies suggest that intense aerobic exercise is the most effective physical activity to increase your BDNF levels[25][26]. Although exercise increases BDNF immediately, the results appear to be better when you exercise regularly[25]. A 2018 mini-review found that high-intensity interval training (HIIT) may also be effective at increasing BDNF, but current data is very limited[27]. And a 2017 study discovered that resistance training can also elevate BDNF levels[28].  The researchers found that hypertrophy (bodybuilding-style) training to muscular fatigue raised BDNF more than pure strength training[28]. But if you’re not already in the habit of exercising, one of the best ways to increase your BDNF levels may be to simply move more. A 2018 study in Neuroscience found that compared to sedentary people, physically active people had higher BDNF levels[29].  How does exercise increase BDNF? So far, very few researchers have tried to explain how exactly exercise increases circulating BDNF. According to a 2018 review (Walsh et al.), BDNF may be released during exercise from the brain, skeletal muscle, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), vascular endothelial cells, and platelets[30].  The authors suggest that shear stress from increased blood flow during exercise causes many of these cells to release more stored BDNF than they would otherwise[30].  3. Prioritize Your Social Connections Social isolation and loneliness raise the risk of depression, substance abuse, and other mental health issues[31][32]. Not coincidentally, they also appear to lower your BDNF levels[33]. For a healthy brain, do your best to maintain solid connections with your family and friends. 4. Breath Fresh Air and Get Naked in the Sun Fresh air and sun? Really? Yep.  Clichéd advice often turns out to be true. The question is, are you following it or not?  Here’s how important air quality is for BDNF: multiple studies have found that unlike people who exercise in clean air, those who exercise in air pollution (such as jogging or cycling near heavy traffic) don’t experience the increase in BDNF levels that would otherwise accompany physical activity[34][35][36]. Along with exercising away from pollution, you can also make sure to open a window as often as possible. If you’re somewhere with poor air quality, use an air filter at home or in the office. A 2012 study of over 2,800 people found that seasonal variations in sunlight affected BDNF levels, and ambient sun exposure also correlated with BDNF[37].  Now that you know sun affects BDNF, you can raise your BDNF levels by going outside regularly and getting sun on your skin. 5. Drink Coffee and Take Coffee Berry Supplements Plants that are rich in polyphenols and other antioxidants are beneficial for your BDNF levels[38]. One such plant is the Coffea arabica or coffee plant[38].  The coffee bean is rich in chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, and caffeine, all of which may increase BDNF expression[38]. And the coffee fruit, also known as coffee cherry or cascara, may be even more effective at increasing BDNF. A 2013 clinical trial (Reyes-Izquierdo et al.) found that 100 milligrams of cascara extract increased BDNF levels by 143%[39]. 6. Consume a High-Protein Diet  Eating plenty of high-quality protein can help your brain stay healthy as you age[40]. A mouse study also found that mice fed a high-protein diet had higher BDNF levels, especially when combined with exercise[42]. One reason is that amino acids, the building blocks of proteins, are necessary for the production of neurotransmitters--including BDNF[41]. 7. Restrict Carbohydrate Intake (Sometimes) Carbs aren’t always bad, but there are benefits to going low-carb sometimes. Beta-hydroxybutyrate, a ketone your liver produces when you eat a very-low-carb diet or ketogenic diet, appears to increase brain BDNF levels[43]. A 2019 trial found that people with metabolic syndrome (severe insulin resistance) had higher BDNF levels after eating a paleo-keto diet with less than 50 grams of carbs per day and doing HIIT for four weeks[24]. If you don’t want to go keto all the time, you can try temporary carb restriction or cyclical keto for a BDNF boost. 8. Fast Correctly  Does fasting increase BDNF? It depends on how you fast. “Intermittent fasting” or fasting every day by skipping breakfast probably won’t do the trick. Current research suggests that occasional, prolonged fast periods are a better choice for boosting BDNF. For example, in one study, a 48-hour fast boosted skeletal muscle BDNF levels by a whopping 350%[44]. The reason may be ketone production[45]. When you go long enough without eating, your body goes into a state of ketosis. Similar to carb restriction, ketosis and beta-hydroxybutyrate production could be one reason extended fasting windows can increase BDNF while shorter fasts don’t do it as effectively[43] 9. Eat These BDNF Foods As we already covered, polyphenol antioxidants are excellent for your BDNF levels[38]. Dark chocolate, blueberries, and extra-virgin olive oil are high-polyphenol foods that are proven to increase BDNF and support brain health[10][38][46][46]. Butyrate, a short-chain fatty acid found in butter also appears to raise BDNF[47]. Lastly, people in countries that eat more fish are less depressed, probably because omega-3s in fatty fish increase BDNF levels[48][49]. 10. Other BDNF Supplements These supplements may support healthy BDNF levels: Omega-3 supplements[49] Magnesium, especially magnesium threonate[50] Zinc[51] Niacin[52] Curcumin[53] Medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) oil, by increasing beta-hydroxybutyrate levels[43][54]. L-theanine, a calming amino acid found in green tea[55] Resveratrol[56][57] The best use of supplements is to round out your BDNF regimen.  Unless you suspect your BDNF levels are low, or you have a deficiency in omega-3s, magnesium, or zinc, there’s probably no need to prioritize supplementation. Why STRONG Coffee is Like Winning the BDNF Lottery The best way to build up your BDNF levels is to develop a daily routine around BDNF-boosting activities.  Stress management, exercise, and quality time with your friends and family are essential. Along with that, you can also use STRONG Coffee Daybreaker or Morning Fix every A.M. to support higher BDNF levels. Strong Coffee contains six hand-picked ingredients proven to support BDNF expression: Coffea arabica (coffee) beans[38] Caffeine[38] Cascara (coffee fruit) extract as Neurofactor®[39]  L-theanine[55] MCT oil[43][54]   15 grams of collagen protein with added tryptophan[41][58][59] Not only that, but our proprietary STRONGMind Blend is synergistic. All the ingredients work together to promote elevated BDNF throughout your brain and central nervous system. Conclusion: Higher BDNF for Better Brain Function Regardless of your age, your BDNF levels have a huge effect on your mental abilities, mood, and overall brain health.  Aging and stress lower BDNF levels, but you can preserve your brain health by managing stress, exercising, and forming close relationships. STRONG Coffee is an easy, delicious way to incorporate six proven BDNF boosters into your morning routine. Our formula is unlike any other, and it not only supports brain health, but also makes you feel amazing.  A precise blend of 180 mg caffeine and 150 milligrams theanine means smooth, consistent energy with no crash, while the protein and MCTs keep your brain and body fueled and functioning optimally.  Want to discover what you’ve been missing out on by not drinking STRONG Coffee? For a limited time only, receive 15% off your first order. Please use code STRONGSCIENCE at checkout.