Determination and Comparison of γ-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA) Content in Pu-erh and Other Types of Tea

[Danny Boy]

Determination and Comparison of γ-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA) Content in Pu-erh and Other Types of Chinese Tea


"Two previous studies have reported that pu-erh tea contains a high level of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), which is the major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system and has several physiological functions. However, two other researchers have demonstrated that the GABA content of several pu-erh teas was low. Due to the high value and health benefits of GABA, analysis of mass-produced pu-erh tea is necessary to determine whether it is actually enriched with GABA. A high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method was developed for the determination of GABA in tea, the results of which were verified by amino acid analysis using an Amino Acid Analyzer (AAA). A total of 114 samples of various types of Chinese tea, including 62 pu-erh teas, 13 green teas, 8 oolong teas, 8 black teas, 3 white teas, 4 GABA teas, and 16 process samples from two industrial fermentations of pu-erh tea (including the raw material and the first to seventh turnings), were analyzed using HPLC. Statistical analysis demonstrated that the GABA content in pu-erh tea was significantly lower than that in other types of tea (p < 0.05) and that the GABA content decreased during industrial fermentation of pu-erh tea (p < 0.05). This mass analysis and comparison suggested GABA was not a major bioactive constituent and resolved the disagreement GABA content in pu-erh tea. In addition, the GABA content in white tea was found to be significantly higher than that in the other types of tea (p < 0.05), leading to the possibility of producing GABA-enriched white tea."




"In conclusion, we found that Pu-Erh tea leaves had abundant content of GABA as bioactive components. The metabolites of GABA are also potent antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents. This suggests that natural antioxidants play an important role in neuroprotection under excitotoxins and GABA in the Pu-Erh tea was responsible for this protection. Pu-Erh leaf extract and GABA ameliorates oxidative stress in KA-induced status epilepticus. The molecular mechanisms of PETL extract and GABA on SE-induced excitotoxicity warrants further study for their therapeutic potential."



http://jbiomedsci.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1423-0127-18-75


http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/jf104601v

 

[Danny Boy]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Organic-G...hash=item568b73b448:m:m4AI2E7EOSTbaXqsF7LoT_g

Origin: China
Type: White
Packaging: Bag
Rating: ★★★★★

"Description: GABA is an amino acid that is produced by the human body. GABA stands for Gamma-aminobutyric acid. Its main function is to inhibit the firing of neurons in the brain. Because of this inhibitory function, GABA sends messages to the brain, spinal cord, heart, lungs, and kidneys to slow down.This means that GABA is an anti-stress, anti-anxiety, calming and relaxing nutrient. It has been used clinically for depressed sex drive, prostate problems, and as a non-addictive tranquilliser substitute. GABA tea is an all-natural source of GABA. It was discovered more than 20 years ago by Japanese researchers looking for a natural method to preserve food. They discovered that tea which is oxidised in a nitrogen-rich atmosphere has a higher concentration of GABA elements than any other type of tea. Oxidation refers to exposing tea leaves to the air after they have been picked.


Black tea is 100% oxidised, while wu long tea is partially oxidised. Green tea is unoxidised - it is dried as soon as possible after picking. GABA tea production involves exposing fresh tea leaves to nitrogen instead of oxygen. The fresh tea is placed in stainless steel vacuum drums and the oxygen is removed and replaced with nitrogen. The tea leaves are exposed to this nitrogen-rich atmosphere for about 8 hours. The temperature must be kept above 40 degrees Celsius for the duration of the processing. This procedure produces the highest concentrations of natural GABA.

Since that time GABA tea has become a staple in the Japanese diet. It is a refreshing beverage that is consumed by people of all ages.GABA tea is valued for its many health benefits which include:Reduced high blood pressure Mental alertness Natural weight loss aid Anti-oxidant Anti-bacterial Stress and anxiety relief GABA for alcohol withdrawal is highly effective. It can be used to prevent and treat hangovers.All tea has health-promoting compounds but GABA tea has the highest concentrations of anti-oxidant catechins, flavonoids, and polyphenols. Anti-oxidants are helpful in fighting many types of disease including cancer, Parkinson's disease, senile and drug-induced deafness, schizophrenia, and Alzheimer's."

 

[Danny Boy]

http://www.zhitea.com/oolong-tea/gaba-oolong-loose-tea.html

GABA Oolong (佳葉龍茶)

Harvest date: May 2016

High GABA content in this batch, over 280 mg per 100 g of tea. Our best batch yet in flavor and ptience (multiple steeps). Get it while it lasts, this is a special one.

The primary difference between GABA and other types of teas is the way it's processed. Most teas are categorized according to their processing and level of oxidation: black tea being fully oxidized; oolong being partially oxidized; green and white teas being unoxidized. Instead of being merely oxidized, GABA is exposed to a nitrogen-rich environment during processing. Japanese researchers discovered a few decades ago that this process enhances naturally occurring GABAin the tea. Since this discovery, GABA tea has become known and distributed for its health benefits.

GABA Tea was discovered by Japanese researchers in 1987. They were looking for a natural method to preserve food. They discovered that when allowed to ferment in a nitrogen rich atmosphere something magical occured.

The Japanese discovered that the levels of -aminobutyric acid [GABA] increase 5 to 10 times.

Zhi GABA Oolong contains copious amounts of GABA in a natural form, over 200 mg. per 100 grams of tea (Japanese Standard is 150). GABA is a naturally occurring human enzyme which functions as a calming and relaxing nutrient. It is now a daily health drink in Japan and only now making its way into the US.

We have procured a high quality organic version of this amazing tea.

The reason we drink it here at Zhi, though, really, is because of the taste. It has a wonderful deep fruitiness; very complex with Japanese Plum notes, and marked cinnamon notes, as well. It is a bit reminiscent of a bai hao oolong, but less woodsy/earthy and more fruity/rich. It has a very unique and easy-to-drink flavor profile that is a bit hard to describe, to be honest.
One of our good friends likens it to Guinness beer, a beer that has nitrogen in the carbonation. Thick mouthfeel and a certain molasses-y, creamy body and taste.

This gorgeous GABA Oolong tea was harvested in May 2016, and is stored in a vacuum seal.

 

[Danny Boy]

I'd recommend taking l-theanine powder/capsules with this to further help.

 

[BuzzyBee]

I'd recommend taking l-theanine powder/capsules with this to further help.

Will L-Theanine keep you awake? I have some capsules but am afraid to take it.

 

[Danny Boy]

Will L-Theanine keep you awake? I have some capsules but am afraid to take it.

L-Theanine is naturally found in tea, it works on GABA, serotonin and dopamine. Make sure to combine it with caffeine or mix it with tea, as it will transport faster pass the blood brain barrier. Also, Caffeine has been proven not to affect tinnitus. I also recommend pu-erh tea as it helps with sleep.


"Reduces Stress and Helps with Sleep

While pu-erh tea has caffeine, it may seem odd that this tea would assist with sleeping. However despite the caffeine, the key micro-organisms and phyto-chemicals pu-erh tea contains, GABA and theanine, have been shown to reduce stress levels and increase the production of natural melatonin in the brain, resulting in decreased stress, stabilized mood and improved sleep patterns."


https://www.nakedmetea.com/6-reasons-to-drink-pu-erh-tea/


http://www.bristol.ac.uk/news/2010/6785.html

 

[BuzzyBee]

Caffeine doesn't affect my tinnitus at all, but I have to drink it early in the day so that I can sleep at night. I'll give the Pu-Erh a try! Thanks for all the links.

The capsules I was referring to are L-Theanine capsules. A naturalist recommended them to me, but I'm hesitant to take them even though he mentioned they might help the T.

https://www.amazon.com/Source-Naturals-L-Theanine-200mg-Capsules/dp/B001G7R3M4?th=1