Researchers have found L-theanine may help boys diagnosed with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) get more restful sleep. The study, conducted at the Canadian Centre for Functional Medicine in conjunction with the Food, Nutrition & Health Program at the University of British Columbia, was published in the Alternative Medicine Review.
 
This randomized, 10-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial involved 98 boys diagnosed with ADHD, ranging in age from 8-12 years. Participants consumed two chewable tablets twice daily (at breakfast and after school), with each tablet containing 100 mg of Suntheanine, a patented form of pure L-theanine from Taiyo International, or a placebo. Parents completed the Pediatric Sleep Questionnaire at baseline and at the end of the treatment period. In addition, the children were monitored with an actigraph—a wristwatch-like device that records sleep activity levels and related data.
 
The Actigraph watch findings indicated that boys who consumed Suntheanine obtained significantly higher sleep percentage and sleep efficiency scores, along with a non-significant trend for less activity during sleep (defined as less time awake after sleep onset) compared to those in the placebo group. The effects were consistent among children regardless of whether they were also taking stimulant medication. There were no significant adverse reactions. For further information: www.suntheanine.com