Drug in turkey that makes you sleepy

So many of us just want to nap on Thanksgiving, and some say turkey may be to blame. So does turkey make you sleepyor is it something else? Turkey has the makings of a natural sedative, an amino acid called tryptophan.

By Coco Ballantyne. Let us give thanks on Thanksgiving for its cornucopia of foods: mashed potatoes, gravy, stuffing, creamed corn, cranberry sauce and, of course, turkey, among other delights. Every fourth Thursday of November, friends and family in the U. Those early revelers were probably knocked out by their marathon feast, and most people today are familiar with the post-Thanksgiving food coma. But often the blame falls on the bird. Turkey allegedly causes drowsiness because it is packed with a nutrient called tryptophan. Tryptophan is one of 20 naturally occurring amino acids—the building blocks of proteins.

Drug in turkey that makes you sleepy

Once a year the Thanksgiving holiday is time spent with family and eating a large meal. After stuffing yourself much like a turkey at the center of this holiday, you notice yourself feeling extra sleepy. Most people have heard at some point in their lives this fatigue is due to the turkey containing tryptophan, a chemical that can make you tired. So is your mealtime bird to blame for your sleepiness? After a little research we found some answers to this popular holiday question. So, what exactly is tryptophan? Therefore your diet must supply it. Tryptophan is found in turkey, other types of poultry, cheese, yogurt, meat, eggs and fish. Tryptophan is then used by the body to make the B-vitamin niacin which is vital for digestion, healthy nerves and skin, and production of the brain chemical serotonin. Serotonin is the chemical responsible for our moods and also can create feelings of happiness and relaxation.

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Tryptophan in turkey has become almost as famous as the bird's white and dark meat. So has the legend of its power to make people sleepy. But does Thanksgiving turkey actually induce drowsiness? It's a myth," Dr. Trytophan is one of the amino acids , which the body uses to make proteins to help it grow and repair tissue, according to the National Library of Medicine.

Tryptophan in turkey has become almost as famous as the bird's white and dark meat. So has the legend of its power to make people sleepy. But does Thanksgiving turkey actually induce drowsiness? It's a myth," Dr. Trytophan is one of the amino acids , which the body uses to make proteins to help it grow and repair tissue, according to the National Library of Medicine.

Drug in turkey that makes you sleepy

The idea that eating turkey makes you sleepy because of the tryptophan it contains is a common myth. And if you regularly battle to keep your eyes open after your Thanksgiving feast every year, you may fully believe in its powers. But there are some other components of your meal that may be lending a helping hand. Tryptophan is an amino acid that helps create a chemical called serotonin in your brain, which is important for good sleep. But here's the thing: turkey doesn't have more tryptophan than other meats like chicken and beef.

Cast of 12 desperate hours

To that end, Dr. The body also uses tryptophan to make melatonin, which helps regulate the sleep-wake cycle, according to the National Library of Medicine. So don't blame the turkey for your postprandial lethargy, instead give thanks for the abundance of drink and carbohydrate-rich, albeit slumber-inducing fare. Once a year the Thanksgiving holiday is time spent with family and eating a large meal. Tryptophan is an amino acid that performs important functions in your body. The meal is often heavy and high in carbohydrates — from mashed potatoes to bread , stuffing and pie — and your body is working hard to digest that food. But is there anything to the turkey-tryptophan-tired idea, or is it a Thanksgiving-themed myth to justify avoiding the post-meal cleanup? Aced out by other amino acids, tryptophan thereby has a tough time hitching a ride to the brain. After stuffing yourself much like a turkey at the center of this holiday, you notice yourself feeling extra sleepy. That means it's very likely that tryptophan alone isn't solely responsible for your sleepiness. Tryptophan is an essential amino acid the body uses produce to produce melatonin, serotonin and the B vitamin niacin. Consuming such high carb foods can cause a quick rise in your blood sugar, which in turn can bring on a crash that features fatigue and reduced alertness within the first hour after ingestion, according to a study.

Does turkey's tryptophan dose cause drowsiness? Not likely.

Create profiles to personalise content. In fact, turkey contains slightly less L-tryptophan than chicken. Thus, it is no wonder that turkey, which provides the raw material for the synthesis of sleep-related serotonin, is purported to have soporific power. So don't blame the turkey for your postprandial lethargy, instead give thanks for the abundance of drink and carbohydrate-rich, albeit slumber-inducing fare. While it might be a bummer that tryptophan can make you tired, don't get too annoyed because the amino acid is actually quite helpful in other ways. Then if alcohol gets added to the mix, you can count on a sleepy afternoon to follow. Not only does tryptophan have paltry representation among the passengers; it also competes with five other amino acids for the same transporter. You may accept or manage your choices by clicking below, including your right to object where legitimate interest is used, or at any time in the privacy policy page. Measure content performance. But often the blame falls on the bird. Research has shown that after a high-fat meal, an increased level of the hormone cholecystokinin CCK leads to drowsiness. List of Partners vendors. Bananas, cheese, chicken, chocolate, milk, oats and nuts all contain tryptophan.