In the spirit of
Thanksgiving I have chosen to analyze the article “Eating Turkey Does Not
Really Make You Sleepy”. As defined by the name of the article, it discusses
how turkey does not make you sleepy while seeking out the real culprit of the
Thanksgiving snoozes. Dr. Howard Markel of the University of Michigan explains
how the amino acid called L-tryptophan, which is in fact found in high levels
in turkey, does not quite have the same affects as were previously thought. He
explains the common place high levels of L-tryptophan have among meats other
than turkey and that in order for L-tryptophan to have the “sleepy” affect
(which many believe to be naturally occurring upon the eating of turkey) one
must take it on an empty stomach and without any other type of amino acid than
that of L-tryptophan.
Dr. Howard then goes
on to explain some of the reasons that are most likely to be the case for
people to become very tired after the annual Thanksgiving. He states that one
reason most likely being due to the fact that such carbohydrate rich foods are
served, this triggering the pancreas to release insulin which breaks down and
utilize sugar, however the use of insulin causes the muscles in the body to
utilize nearly all of the amino acids (except L-tryptophan) to provide energy,
leaving a large quantity of L-tryptophan unu which then transfers to the brain
creating serotonin that then becomes melatonin, creating sleepiness. Dr. Howard
also states alcohol naturally creates sleepiness in those who drink it.
I was very interested
to learn the ‘real source’ of Thanksgiving sleepiness, putting the turkey
tryptophan wives-tale to rest. I was also fascinated by the many components
involved in a person becoming drowsy after a heavy set meal. I am still very
interested in the fact that this reoccurrence of “turkey tryptophan” seems to
back every year especially on the day of Thanksgiving. I was able to learn that
if I would like to avoid being tired after a meal then I need to eat less high
carb foods at one setting. I found it interesting in which it seemed to
reiterate the fact that the food we put into our bodies vastly determines what
our body will look like, how we will feel mentally/physically, and how we will
see ourselves. (along with other things)
-J.A.
Hi J.A.,
ReplyDeleteDid you read this article before Thanksgiving and test it out? I wasn't really paying attention but I ate very little at Thanksgiving and avoided the pies and I remember not being sleepy. I thought maybe it was because I ate less turkey too. Good to know that here are many reasons why one could have sleepiness on Thanksgiving and the turkey isn't really the reason. I would think that having a house full of people could create some stress levels for people and make them tired. I know people that can't handle big crowds for very long or they run out of energy. On the flip side some people are more awake around more people. Did it say in the article if he conducted a research study to come to the hypothesis? It would be interesting to see how it was studied and/or how he came up with his hypothesis. Was there any indication of collaborating information or others coming to the same conclusion?
Thanks
RW
RW,
DeleteUnfortunately I had not read this article before Thanksgiving! The article talks of studies performed in labs on humans and animals in which meals that are "carbohydrate-rich triggers the pancreas to release of insulin (which is) the hormone that helps us breakdown and utilize sugar. But insulin also stimulates the muscles to take in large neutral branched-chain amino acids but not tryptophan, which is an aromatic amino acid. This results in a far greater ratio of L-tryptophan to branch-chained amino acids in the blood, and eventually, in the cerebral spinal fluid, the body fluid that bathes and cushions the spinal cord and brain. And now here's the climax of all this organic chemistry and human physiology: the brain converts the L-tryptophan into serotonin that is eventually metabolized by the pineal gland into melatonin, a substance many travelers know as nature's sleeping pill." So even though this melatonin is caused by L-tryptophan, which is in fact found in turkey, we consume large amounts of L-tryptophan in our regular day-to-day diets, which was said in the report.
I was going to ask the same question as RW. Is it possible that all holidays are just tiring? with having to meet with family and catch up since time has passed. The day just feels like a long day so by 7pm everyone is ready for bed.
ReplyDelete-KO
DeleteAfter reading this, I veered away from the carbs during Thanksgiving. I'm happy to say that I didn't actually get tired. I went and played games and actually staid up well into the morning. It's funny how people gather these "wives tales" on what makes them tired or how things are and they stick for a long time. It's kind of like how Sprite settles an upset stomach.
ReplyDeleteI had actually never heard of this 'wife-tale' about the turkey. I found this to be quite interesting. I have always understood that eating a lot usually results in drowsiness or heavy eyes, but it is unique to know that those symptoms are due to high-carb intake. I also find it interesting that all except the L-tryptophan amino acid are used for energy by the muscles.
ReplyDeleteTL
I have actually heard something along the lines of eating a lot makes you sleepy i usually call it a food coma but it would make sense for people to blame the turkey sense it is a holiday were they eat more then a usual day.
ReplyDeleteRuth Guerra
Is there a certain food or food group that particularly counteracts this amino acid? Are there other foods with this or another amino acid that would actually make a person more sleepy? Or are there too many natural variables that come into play?
ReplyDeleteM.E.
I have never felt tired after thanksgiving this article is interesting to me because it shows why that may be. I always have turkey but have stayed away from other high carb foods. Its cool to know what it is about thanksgiving that makes people sleepy!
ReplyDeleteKI
That's really interesting to find out that the belief that turkey makes you sleepy is actually fiction after all. I feel like because Thanksgiving is a holiday and there are so many special things that you do on this day that make it unique to any other regular day, that it would be almost unfair to pinpoint the sleepiness effect coming from just the turkey. There are so many other factors that could all contribute to the cause. Including family parties, games, cooking, cleaning, eating, traveling, and whatever other family traditions you might have. It is good to know that high carb foods are the actual reason for sleepiness and to recognize that other factors take part in it too.
ReplyDeleteKP
So maybe I'm not reading this right, or missing a small detail but what you're saying is that the turkey doesn't make you tired, but that the tryptophan (which is in the turkey) is what makes you tired? So isn't it still the technically the turkey that makes you tired in the end? I've always thought that tryptophan does make you tired.
ReplyDeleteAB
i like this article because everyone has at least herd it once from someone else. debunking false myths is what science lives for. not only does it help us understand the real problem it can help us become less ignorant. we have to know these things in order to make better decisions in our personal lives.
ReplyDeleteMC
This article was enlightening because it clarified the true culprit of Thanksgiving sleepiness. Overeating is the real cause for our tiredness as our bodies try hard to process all the food we ingest. That happens any time we over indulge, not particular to Thanksgiving feast. SRH
ReplyDelete