Short answer: What’s the stuff in turkey that makes you tired?
Contrary to popular belief, it is not tryptophan in turkey that makes people feel sleepy after a Thanksgiving meal. The amount of tryptophan in turkey is similar to other meats, and its effects on serotonin production are negligible when consumed with other proteins. It is more likely the combination of a large meal with alcohol and carbohydrate-rich side dishes that contributes to post-Thanksgiving drowsiness.
The Culinary Myth Debunked: How What’s in Turkey Actually Causes Drowsiness
Every single year, once the Thanksgiving festivities come to a conclusion and everyone is feeling the fullness of their shared meals, someone inevitably brings up the age-old myth: Turkey causes drowsiness. “It’s because turkey has tryptophan,” they say knowingly. But as it turns out, this classic cause-and-effect fallacy couldn’t be further from the truth.
Tryptophan is an essential amino acid that helps create serotonin in our bodies. Serotonin plays a vital role in regulating mood and appetite, among other things. It is also a precursor to melatonin – the hormone popularly known for promoting sleep quality.
So yes, turkey does contain tryptophan; however, it’s not true that consuming turkey on its own will make you more tired than any other food with high protein levels. In fact, there isn’t even enough tryptophan present within a serving of cooked turkey to have much effect at all! According to registered dietitian Alana Kessler,
“Turkey doesn’t actually contain so much more tryptophan than chicken or beef.”
She goes on to explain that many plant-based sources like spinach (yet an alternative option often suggested instead of meat by nutritionists) have markedly greater amounts of this chemical component than most fowl varieties.
So why do we tend to feel extra sleepy after enjoying our heavy holiday meals? Well firstly Thanksgiving dinners typically consist of indulgent foods like mashed potatoes soaked lovingly with cream gravy –high fat contents– sweet potato mash blanketed under melted marshmallows & oftentimes generous servings desserts center around seasonal pies chockfull sugar; all served together alongside quantities larger than what would consume during regular evening mealtimes can put pressure on your system resulting sluggish feelings post-meals.
Furthermore,the body releases insulin when processing carbohydrates which signals large muscle groups store incoming nutrients from consumed food stocks glucose reserves.Any additional energy gets stored in adipose tissue as fat which taxes our digestive system adding strain post-mealtime, impacting the way we are able to concentrate –or remain awake– while digesting–especially if consuming alcohol.
All these compounds and factors; not just turkey or its tryptophan content working in concert will have impactful effects on us. It’s all about balance!
In conclusion, there is no such thing as “turkey coma,” nor any causation from eating turkey specifically that affects a person’s likeness of getting tired. Instead, it’s an equally contributing combination of various ingredients found within most holiday meals that promotes drowsiness after digestion. Sure, you can still blame the bird itself for your torpor afterwards… but keep in mind what else might be causing you sleepiness beyond it!
The Chemical Composition of Turkey: What’s the Stuff That Causes Sleepiness, Step by Step
Thanksgiving is here and one of the most important dishes that make this day special is turkey. But have you ever wondered why after devouring a platter full of this delicious bird, you feel a sudden urge to lay down on the couch and doze off? Well, it’s not just an urban legend or an old wives’ tale; there are actual scientific explanations for why turkey makes us sleepy.
Before we dive deeper into the chemical composition of turkey, let’s understand what sleepiness actually means. When we eat food, our body breaks it down into glucose which supplies energy to our cells. Insulin then enables glucose to pass from our blood into the cells where it can be used as fuel. Now when we consume foods rich in carbohydrates (like stuffing) insulin levels surge allowing more tryptophan – an amino acid found in turkey and many other protein-rich foods – to enter the brain.
The increase in tryptophan triggers biochemical reactions that lead to higher production of serotonin–a neurotransmitter responsible for feelings of happiness–and melatonin–a hormone regulating natural sleep patterns. However contrary to popular beliefs its worth knowing that Turkey contains similar amounts of Tryptophan compared with Chicken or Beef.
So if it’s not only about consuming tryptophan how does turkey trigger drowsiness? Here comes Christmas Chem 101: all proteins are made up of amino acids bonded together by peptide bonds.To break them down during digestion protease enzymes secrete hydrochloric acid within your stomach whose PH level causes these peptides ultimately breaking them apart causing they release amino acids like tryptophans among others commonly known Amino Acids include Lysine and Methionine.
Once free roaming amino-acid particles such as glutamic acid has better access to receptors in your gut lining thus enters circulation before reaching specific neurons that use transporters effectively blocking dopamine while prolonging GABA (Gamma-aminobutyric acid), hence causing sedation and relaxation–the reason behind the post-turkey feast coma.
Moreover, turkey is also a source of calcium, magnesium, B vitamins among other compounds which aid processes that promote energy production. Although it remains unsure just how much one needs to consume for their body to enter this drowsy state as other variables like carbohydrate intake are involved in sleepiness after indulging in holiday meals.
So now you can enjoy your Thanksgiving dinner without having to worry about passing out on Grandma’s sofa! Maybe leave room for dessert though, just so you don’t miss out on something sweet while catching some Z’s afterwards.
Your Top Questions Answered: FAQ on What’s in Turkey That Makes You Tired + Top 5 Factsabout Tryptophan
Thanksgiving is coming up, and that only means one thing – the start of the holiday season! It’s a time for festivities with family and friends. However, there are some myths surrounding Thanksgiving dinner, particularly around turkey.
Surely you’ve heard it before – turkey makes you sleepy. Well, we’re on a mission to debunk this myth once and for all. Here’s what you need to know in our FAQ on What’s in Turkey That Makes You Tired + Top 5 Facts about Tryptophan:
1) What exactly causes post-Thanksgiving meal fatigue?
Contrary to popular belief, it turns out that tryptophan found in turkey doesn’t necessarily make us drowsy after consumption. In fact, tryptophan levels aren’t much higher than other meats such as chicken or steak…so why do so many people feel lethargic after enjoying their Thanksgiving feast?
According to experts at Harvard Health Publishing, your food intake could play a significant role here. When you consume excess amounts of carbohydrates (think mashed potatoes with gravy or slice upon slice of pumpkin pie), blood glucose levels spike immediately after eating followed by falling rapidly hours later which can lead to sugar crashes causing tiredness that lasts well into the night.
2) Why is tryptophan often blamed as the culprit behind post-turkey lethargy?
Tryptophan has been tagged as an ‘old wives’ tale’ but not without any merit; while it cannot be considered solely responsible for those energy-sapping sensations felt right after gorging on stuffing and cranberry sauce — it does have an impact Nevertheless when consumed together along with starchy carbs like potatoes & bread rolls create perfect conditions leading towards insulin spikes & subsequent decrease leading sometimes crashing blood sugars resulting into overall fatigue!
3) So how can we keep ourselves from feeling sluggish post-meal then?
It starts with maintaining portion control, as well as sticking to more balanced meals. Yes, turkey is a great source of protein (including tryptophan), but healthy carbs like vegetables and whole grains are also key when it comes to providing energy throughout the day.
4) What’s the deal with tryptophan then?
Tryptophan – an amino acid found in abundant quantities in turkeys that has been linked towards promoting sleepiness for centuries ,recent research implores other factors could together create lethargy-like states after consumption. Tryptophan works alongside serotonin which helps regulate functions such as mood management and sleep patterns – keeping in check mental health related attributes towards relaxing post-consumption.
5) How else can we benefit from consuming foods high in tryptophan?
It should be noted that eating lots of food containing tryptophan-filled proteins may not just lead you into sleepy-land; apart from regularizing stress responses & aiding insomnia amongst people, additional benefits include weight-loss assistance by allowing hormones curbing hunger cravings via intake increasing feelings fullness so less likely feel ravenous during recovery time periods between meals or snacks.
In conclusion: Get your fill of Thanksgiving fare without feeling weighed down by trying these tips:
-Avoid overeating carbohydrates
-Maintain proper portions
-Incorporate healthier options into your meal
-Remember that while tryptophan plays a role,it doesn’t make folks instantly drowsy
So go ahead get those seconds…but maybe hold off on taking a nap directly afterward!
