It’s time again for the annual dispelling of that old Thanksgiving myth: turkey contains tryptophan which can make one sleepy. While turkey certainly contains tryptophan (an amino acid used by our bodies to make serotonin, a neurotransmitter in the brain which helps to regulate sleep), so do most other meats. Surprisingly, gram for gram, cheddar cheese contains even more tryptophan than turkey! So, why does turkey get the dubious honor of sleep-inducing meat of the year? Probably because it is the centerpiece of what’s typically the largest meal of the year, full of fat and carbohydrates which increase the caloric content of the average Thanksgiving meal to upwards of 3,000 calories. After consuming more than the daily recommended amount of calories in a single meal your body will work hard to digest it, thus making you sleepy. Furthermore, alcohol is often involved, which has a sedative effect on most people. So, if not falling asleep after this year’s Thanksgiving meal is your goal then eating in moderation, as always, would be your best bet.
Share your comments here…and have a safe and wonderful Holiday!
Tags: amino acid, carbohydrate, fat, serotonin, sleep, sleepy, Thanksgiving, tryptophan, turkey
Dr. Steven Chang, the author of DailyDose, is a staff physician with Kosmix RightHealth. Dr. Chang practices Family Medicine at the University of California Davis Medical Center, where his medical interests include both pediatric and geriatric care, public health, gay and lesbian health, and sleep medicine. Dr. Chang trained at the Stanford University affiliated O'Connor Hospital, and was a research fellow at the National Institute of Health. He holds an M.D. from McGill University and a BA in Public Health from Johns Hopkins University.
November 25th, 2009 at 11:08 am
This is in regards to BAC. Unfortuneately, I had mentioned to a coworker that I couldn’t sleep well (had just been diagnosed with M.S), and had started dinking wine in the evening to help me sleep. I said I’ve got to cut down since it is not helping. She in turn told the director (I’ve been an RN 34 years) who then set in motion a very arrogant set of wheels that ruined my career. I went home sick with strep and swollen glands. Had approx 3 oz wine and went to bed. It was demanded of me to return to work for a “meeting”. Nothing I said made any difference ie I am sick etc. So, I went in. They wanted me to have a blood alcohol test done. I agreed since if I didn’t I would have been fired. My level was 0.015. The rest is a nightmare. I call the nurses “educationally arrogant”. I was worked hard the week they were planning this meeting, ie drawing blood that the other nurses couldn’t get. Picking up additional pts when needed. Now, I have absolutely no respect for these people. The thought of continueing to help others after what happened to me leaves me cold. Gail
November 26th, 2009 at 1:04 pm
[...] Can Turkey Really Make You Sleepy?; Stephen Chang’s article [...]
November 27th, 2009 at 7:03 am
Pancreas is markedly hetrogeneous with calcification at multiples sites. Pancreatic duct is dialeted (2.56 cm). Several calculi are seen in pancreatic duct largest one approx 2.35×1 cm head 3.4 cm and body 3 cm. Age of the person is 76 years and very weak health. He is really having severe pain what is the solution for it.
November 27th, 2009 at 9:16 pm
dear;
guys!taking high amount of meat is not essential in many ways.the first is mentioned by the sleep condtion of turkey which has fat content.recommendation is that follow up of eating habit is crucial to ones own health.it has many complications like hypertention ,cardiovascular disease ,dysarythmia and others.
November 30th, 2009 at 12:55 pm
if i uae this pain patch 700mg and i have diabetes will it be wise
to use this patch i don’t want to have any effects from the patch
November 30th, 2009 at 8:11 pm
i don,t think so, it turkeys, can make sleepy. wow…we must focus to find a bigger food from plants which contain best amino acid and produce high value/tan/month
November 30th, 2009 at 8:12 pm
i already found that souce of plant which turkey eat sommuch and it all free..
November 30th, 2009 at 8:13 pm
it can bring down cos of production and make a halal nad safety food or mankind.
November 30th, 2009 at 8:15 pm
no. ill do,t beleive it. if source of food for turkeys are from palnts only, than it bring a very safety food for mankind.
November 30th, 2009 at 8:18 pm
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