Every year, Americans kick back on their couches after dinner, and it all falls on the infamous tryptophan of the turkey as they excuse their tiredness after dinner. But what happens if this annual tradition of this festive time is based on utterly false information? Recent research indicates just what is actually going on concerning that post-dinner tiredness, and it just may shock you more than any family feud.
The tryptophan content of Turkey meat is not a reason for your daily
Tryptophan is present in turkey, and it is an essential amino acid that encourages sleep and supports mood regulation as a result of serotonin and melatonin stimulation. However, turkey does not have appreciable more tryptophan than other foods that are considered common proteins. According to a statement made by Oklahoma State University’s Darren Scott, one hundred grams of turkey meat has about 0.25 grams of tryptophan, the same as that of other poultry foods like chicken and beef.
Although adults require only a 5-gram dosage of tryptophan, they have to take it before going to bed if they want improved sleep quality. Two portions of turkey only have about 410 milligrams of this nutrient, indicating that one would have to eat twenty portions of it just to have one therapeutic dose of this substance, and this is quite impossible, especially during Thanksgiving days when one would be most eager to indulge anyway.
Interestingly, no one faults grilled cheese sandwiches or chicken dinner meals for making people tired, as they have a comparable amount of tryptophan as turkey. Something about the occurrence of turkey consumption links it to a certain scenario of eating and then relaxing, and this is why the turkey sleep cycle is perpetuated despite its inaccuracies.
Carbohydrates and alcohol present a perfect storm of sleepiness
But what is actually responsible for post-Thanksgiving tiredness is high-carb foods and alcohol consumption. In fact, classic Thanksgiving dishes include mashed potatoes, stuffing, cranberry sauce, and desserts that are just packed full of sugar and refined carbohydrates. All of these foods create drastic blood sugar highs that lead to energy crashes about an hour after eating them.
Scott states that the consumption of turkey and carbohydrates has an indirect effect on serotonin levels in the brain because:
“As we digest the turkey and other carbohydrates, we indirectly impact our levels of serotonin that are present in our brains.”
The serotonin is then converted into melatonin, and scientists believe that it is actually responsible for causing people to be drowsy, not the tryptophan itself.
Easy methods can prevent post-prandial fatigue effectively
To resist holiday drowsiness, one has to eat and drink strategically. Eating healthy snacks before dinner can prevent overeating, which could cause indigestion due to starvation. These are some scientifically proven ways through which one can stay alert while attending a holiday party or gathering:
- Consume your food slowly, thereby giving your body ample time to recognize signals that you have had enough
- Take smaller portions, as you can always come back if you are genuinely hungry
- Control alcohol consumption based on present guidelines, one drink per day for women and two for men
- Finish meals when you’re satisfied, not stuffed, and enjoy more palatable leftovers later
- Take post-dinner walks to help your body burn consumed carbohydrates instead of storing them as fat
- Maintain regular sleep and exercise schedules all through the year
The turkey drowsiness myth illustrates that folk beliefs can easily outweigh scientific truths. Although neither of these amino acids has a significant role in the development of postprandial sleepiness, all these components combine to create an ideal environment for sleepiness. By recognizing these actual contributors, one can enjoy the holiday while making knowledgeable choices without abandoning its tradition of indulgence.
