Good Morning and Happy FRIDAY.
Dan Wells writing, I'm going to guess unless a microwave dinner was your Thanksgiving feast, you probably have had firsthand experience with the after-dinner fatigue that sets in after the meal.
But did you ever wonder why you wanted to take a nap?
To escape the dishes?
Perhaps, but the meal itself plays a big part in the way you feel.
The turkey is often cited as the culprit in afterdinner lethargy, but the truth is that you could omit the bird altogether and still feel the effects of the feast.
According to medical experts....turkey does contain L-tryptophan, an essential amino acid with a documented sleep inducing effect. L-tryptophan is used in the body to produce the B-vitamin, niacin. Tryptophan also can be metabolized into serotonin and melatonin, neurotransmitters that exert a calming effect and regulates sleep.
However, L-tryptophan needs to be taken on an empty stomach and without any other amino acids or protein in order to make you drowsy. There's lots of protein in a serving of turkey and it's probably not the only food on the table.
It's worth noting that other foods contain as much or more tryptophan than turkey (0.333 g of tryptophan per 100 gram edible portion), including chicken (0.292 g of tryptophan per 100 gram edible portion), pork, and cheese.
As everybody knows...It takes a great deal of energy to digest a large meal. When your stomach is full, blood is directed away from other organ systems, including your nervous system.
The result?
You will feel the need to snooze after any big meal, particularly if it is high in fats and carbohydrates.
So, why are you sleepy after a big turkey dinner? It's a combination of the type of food, amount of food, and celebratory atmosphere.
Happy Thanksgiving! Dan Wells FOX 19 NEWS
Dan Wells writing, I'm going to guess unless a microwave dinner was your Thanksgiving feast, you probably have had firsthand experience with the after-dinner fatigue that sets in after the meal.
But did you ever wonder why you wanted to take a nap?
To escape the dishes?
Perhaps, but the meal itself plays a big part in the way you feel.
The turkey is often cited as the culprit in afterdinner lethargy, but the truth is that you could omit the bird altogether and still feel the effects of the feast.
According to medical experts....turkey does contain L-tryptophan, an essential amino acid with a documented sleep inducing effect. L-tryptophan is used in the body to produce the B-vitamin, niacin. Tryptophan also can be metabolized into serotonin and melatonin, neurotransmitters that exert a calming effect and regulates sleep.
However, L-tryptophan needs to be taken on an empty stomach and without any other amino acids or protein in order to make you drowsy. There's lots of protein in a serving of turkey and it's probably not the only food on the table.
It's worth noting that other foods contain as much or more tryptophan than turkey (0.333 g of tryptophan per 100 gram edible portion), including chicken (0.292 g of tryptophan per 100 gram edible portion), pork, and cheese.
As everybody knows...It takes a great deal of energy to digest a large meal. When your stomach is full, blood is directed away from other organ systems, including your nervous system.
The result?
You will feel the need to snooze after any big meal, particularly if it is high in fats and carbohydrates.
So, why are you sleepy after a big turkey dinner? It's a combination of the type of food, amount of food, and celebratory atmosphere.
Happy Thanksgiving! Dan Wells FOX 19 NEWS
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