Short answer: does turkey actually make you tired?
Despite popular belief, turkey’s sleep-inducing properties are not solely due to tryptophan. Rather, a combination of factors such as overeating and alcohol consumption during holiday meals can contribute to feelings of fatigue.
The Science behind Turkey’s Sleep-Inducing Properties
As the holiday season approaches, many of us look forward to indulging in a delicious Thanksgiving feast. And while turkey may be the star attraction on many tables, it often gets a bad rap for causing post-meal drowsiness and even being dubbed as the culprit for “the itis.” But what is it about this festive bird that makes us feel so sleepy? Is there any scientific truth behind this long-held belief?
First, let’s debunk a common myth – tryptophan in turkey is not solely responsible for making us feel sleepier than usual after consuming it. Tryptophan is an amino acid found in turkey as well as other protein-based foods such as cheese and eggs. It’s able to cross the blood-brain barrier and transforms into serotonin – which gets converted into melatonin (a hormone vital in regulating our sleeping patterns) providing relaxation.
However, one important fact frequently omitted from many folklore explanations is that pilgrims weren’t exactly feasting on buttery roasted turkeys adorned with all their favorite fixings at the very first Thanksgiving back in 1621 — Historians believe lobster claws, seal oil, chestnuts/mushrooms were some items available & eaten instead!. On top of that we also tend to consume lots more food overall during Thanksgiving dinner itself– which can cause digestive systems working overtime.Consequently sending signals throughout your nervous system mitigating urges to stay active or awake;which then results in tiredness kicking right afterwards !
Here are three scientifically-backed factors likely contributing towards thanksgiving fatigue
1: Carbohydrates – New York nutritionist Lisa Cohn notes how carbohydrate-rich foods trigger insulin production leading to high levels of sugar consumption thus effecting digestion
(with typically huge portions consumed during holidays contributing greatly!).
2: Alcohol- According doctors around three glasses worth concoctions resultin bodily dehydration; adding exhaustion sensation through out time
3: Overeating- This has been proven most times after large meals wherein the body focuses so much energy on digesting food that all our internal systems are unbalanced, which creates sleepiness.
When we consider these factors in concert with tryptophan effects ,perhaps turkey’s reputation for causing post-meal drowsiness might be less about one single amino acid and instead prying open avenues as: it’s quantity over quality of what your consuming / unhealthy portion sizes.After all, let’s not forget that there are many folks having trouble sleeping who’d rather welcome “turkey sleeps” anyway – why discriminate against opportunities to snooze better especially during sacred days off work?!
As you sit down to enjoy your Thanksgiving dinner this year (or any other feast going forward) remember that yes – turkey may certainly contain a tiny bit of sleep-inducing tryptophan.But more importantly- with awareness — moderation is key when handling limit-challenged items; avoiding more alcohol or carbohydrates than absolutely necessary & balancing out nutrients consumed–that’ll likely go further towards keeping sleep disruptions distant.
Step-by-Step Guide to Understanding How Turkey Can Make You Tired
Ah, turkey. The delicious centerpiece of many a holiday meal, loved by millions for its succulent meat and ability to bring families together around the table. But did you know that this humble bird is also responsible for making countless people feel tired and sluggish after eating it? Yes, it’s true – there’s even a term for it: the “turkey coma”. In this step-by-step guide, we’ll delve into the science behind why turkey can make you so darn tired.
Step 1: The culprit – tryptophan
Tryptophan is an essential amino acid found in many foods such as dairy products, nuts, eggs and poultry (yes, including our dear friend turkey). When consumed, tryptophan stimulates the production of serotonin in the brain which regulates mood and sleep patterns. However, as with any good thing in life, too much tryptophan can have some negative effects.
Step 2: The competition – other amino acids
When you eat a serving of protein-rich food such as turkey or chicken breast, several different types of amino acids enter your bloodstream at once. These amino acids compete with each other to be absorbed into your brain because only one type may cross over at a time through what’s called blood-brain barrier. Plus unlike others thersis comparatively less amount of Tryptphane concentration required by Brain hence need effectively higher concnetration whereas compared wth Phenylalanine concentration on body.
Unfortunately for tryptophan though it has two main competitors – leucine & phenylalanine which are present more abundantly than Trytophan itself . And research shows that these guys usually win out against Tryptohpan ergo leave Tryprocphan high n’dry while aiding all other action like metabolic energy spend up processing etc
Step 3: Timing is everything
Now here comes another factor — timing . To really feel sleepy, your body needs a goodly dose of tryptophan all at once — which is why you’re more likely to feel drowsy after that big Thanksgiving meal (when folks typically consume significantly larger portions than normal ) rather than on a nightly post-dinner turkey sandwich.
Step 4: Blame the carbs too!
Finally, let’s not forget about one other contributing factor when it comes to feeling sleepy, especially around holiday meals such as those mentioned above. Chances are high that such meals tend towards diets relatively heavy on carbohydrates – mashed potatoes , pumpkin pecan pie with dollops of whipped cream et al leading tothe body working overtime digesting these foods inducing lethargies.
So there you have it, a step-by-step guide to understanding how turkey can make you tired. While its generally accepted in most circles that it’s primarily Tryptophaanon alone responsible for this sedate nature ;there’re actually several biochemical reactions happening behind the scenes causing our eyelids heavier than lead following grand supper events. So friends…enjoy your Turkey responsibly and avoid overindulging if possible !
Frequently Asked Questions about Whether Turkey Really Causes Drowsiness
Ah, Thanksgiving – a time of joy and togetherness with family and friends. A time when we all gather around the dinner table to indulge in a feast of turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie. And yet, despite all the merriment and celebration that surrounds this holiday tradition, there has always been one question on everyone’s minds: does eating turkey really cause drowsiness?
1) What is in Turkey that makes us sleepy?
The idea behind turkey causing drowsiness comes from its high content of tryptophan- an amino acid commonly found in poultry products including chicken, eggs etc . Tryptophan plays a key role in producing serotonin, which helps regulate sleep-wake cycles as well as mood.
2) Does That Mean Eating Turkey Really Makes Us Sleepy?
Well… Not entirely!
While tryptophan may contribute towards relaxation after meal but research suggests that other common foods such as eggs or cheese actually contain more of it than turkey. So if you’re feeling drowsy after your Thanksgiving meal – consuming carbs rich food like potatoes and bread combined with alcohol might be culprits rather than just pointing fingers at innocent meat -turkey.
3) How long will the effects last?
This can vary depending on each person’s individual metabolism rate.So while tryptophan can make you feel relaxed shortly after consumption (i.e., few minutes),it won’t necessarily linger for hours on end or lead to severe sluggishness throughout day.
4) Is It Safe To Eat Turkey During Pregnancy Or While Breastfeeding?
Yes! The American Pregnancy Association agrees that pregnant women can safely consume cooked turkey without any harm.Turkey is also low fat protein option.You’d want to watch out only for some dressings and gravies with added sugars.
5) Can You Eat Turkey If You Are Allergic To Chicken?
Turkey meat is not listed on poultry allergy list, thus allergies that occur to chicken may not happen in the same way with turkey. However, if you suspect allergic reaction better check with your physician.
6) Is It True That Wild Turkey Has Higher Tryptophan Content Than Domesticated Ones?
It’s true! Wild turkeys naturally forage diverse natural food items like seeds,nuts, grasses etc- which contains much higher tryptophan compared to synthetic feed rich diet consumed by domestic ones So it can be assumed they might have slightly more tryptophan content than domestic bird when cooked similarly.
In conclusion – while there are many factors that contribute towards drowsiness during or after a Thanksgiving meal (especially carbs and alcohol),it would be unfair to solely blame poor old Tom-The-Turkey. Instead of stressing out about this myth,you should focus on enjoying time spent sharing a feast together.With practice some newer tackling techniques can also help ease up post-lunch lassitude but until we achieve total immunity from festive indulgences let’s just enjoy guilt free cosy sleep induced slumber during holiday season.
