While turkey contains tryptophan, an amino acid the body uses to create sleep-regulating compounds like melatonin and serotonin, it’s not present at high enough quantities to be the sole cause of drowsiness.
Many foods, including chicken, milk, and tofu contain similar or higher amounts of tryptophan, but they don’t put you to sleep on their own either.
To induce a food coma, you’d need to eat around 8 pounds of turkey, a Rutgers University professor told CNN. In contrast, the USDA recommends preparing a 1-pound serving of turkey per person.
Overeating and drinking are the main culprits behind Thanksgiving tiredness. Consuming large amounts of food directs blood away from the brain to the digestive system, causing drowsiness. Drinking alcohol slows down the nervous system, also triggering sleepiness.
The high sugar, carbohydrate and fat content in Thanksgiving foods, as well as travel and family stress, also contribute to holiday exhaustion.
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