Tea & Revision

A little while back I was in a local chemist with a health food section, asking whether they would stock some tea. The owner went over to the shelf and picked up a small jar of pills and said ‘We already do!’

He showed me the label on the jar of pills which said Theanine.  He explained that these pills were made of theanine extracted from tea and were taken by many to alleviate depression. At the time this was all news to me but further investigation of this intriguing revelation made it clearer why tea is the drink of choice when disaster strikes or a comforting chat is needed.

The exam season and all its stresses are upon us, not exactly a disaster you might say but our household have done it enough times to know that special measures are required to get through these trials. For most students it is a time of late nights, stress and panic.  For others, and we have had one of these, exams barely ruffle the surface of their brains.  For those students who do find it stressful and for those parents who are anxious because their children are making no effort, the benefits of drinking tea at exam time need to be told.

So this is how it goes:

We all know that tea contains caffeine, so this on its own will keep you alert much the same as coffee. However, coffee has a tendency to keep you wired which I remember well from drinking it to keep awake to revise. Studies, which support my friend the local chemist’s knowledge, suggest that there is another component in tea which in addition to caffeine, affects the brain and its function. This component is theanine, which is an amino acid found almost exclusively in tea.  

Research shows that theanine promotes specific brain activity known as alpha brain waves. These are associated with a relaxed yet alert physical and mental state and an improved ability to concentrate. This is the reason why tea can relax and revive all at the same time and why tea might be effective in stress management.

 So our tip for revision is to take regular breaks and drink tea. 

The optimum period of concentration is 45 minutes, so 10 - 15 minute rests should be taken every hour or so and a cup of tea is the perfect break from these bursts of revision. It should help you stay relaxed and alert.

My favourite tea for a revision break would be Bellevue Ceylon.  Ceylon tea tastes just as good without milk which is a distinct advantage if my memory of student fridges is correct.

What do you drink when revising?