One of the few things on Thanksgiving Day that is as automatic as the turkey dinner itself is the expected fight for couch space that follows the big meal.
Most people know eating turkey makes you tired, but often stumble on the name of the substance within the bird that is responsible.
The guilty party is tryptophan, an essential amino acid that catalyzes the sleep response in humans.
Tryptophan is genetically higher in concentration in turkey than most meats, which may lead to sleepiness after partaking in the annual feast. Eating a helping of turkey is sure to result in wide-mouthed yawns. Add a sweet dessert to the mix, and you’ll be knocked out quicker than one of Mike Tyson’s opponents. “
Just eating a large amount of turkey will make most people at least a little sleepy,” says naturopathic physician Dr. Dan Gardner. “If you take it with a dose of sugar afterwards, it will increase the cellular absorption of the tryptophan in the body, which amplifies its effects, making someone ready for a nap.”
Just how long a visit the sandman will pay depends on a few factors. One’s metabolism, as well as a person’s size and the amount of turkey eaten will yield varying results. Because the body absorbs tryptophan quickly, the effects will generally surface 30-60 minutes after eating, and will usually last an hour or two. Which part of the turkey is eaten also plays a major role in how sleepy you will become.
Dark meat has a 25 percent higher concentration of tryptophan than white meat. That is because dark meat is in muscles which are used more, resulting in better circulation and greater nutrient concentration within those muscles. No matter how hard you fight the feeling, sleepiness is inevitable. There is one long shot method that could possibly slow down the effects of the tryptophan, but its one that would send your nutritionist into a frenzy. “Fats in general slow down digestion so I’m thinking if you had a lot of gravy and butter that it may slow down the digestive action,” says Gardner. “
But turkey is absorbed pretty easily by the body and the sleep effect is still very likely to occur.” Like all essential amino acids, tryptophan is beneficial to the human body. It’s primary function is acting as a precursor of serotonin, a neurotransmitter involved in the sleep process. Thryptophan was also used for relaxation and anti-anxiety supplement for many years until a tainted batch out of Asia about 10 years ago poisoned some people.
To this day, tryptophan can’t be purchased by itself in a health food store even though it’s a naturally occurring amino acid. The only way to buy it now is either in a combination with other amino acids, which yields a relatively low dose, or in a different molecular structure, such as 5HTP (hydroxy-tryptophan).
This accepted alternative is frequently used for helping insomniacs. However the tryptophan enters your system, the outcome is generally the same. The trick is to try to make the effects work for you. A perfectly timed turkey sandwich could be a great way to get out of helping with the dishes.
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