Why Do I Get Sleepy After Eating?

A majority of people have noticed that their eyes get heavier after eating a big meal. Be it an occasion for a holiday meal or a breakfast on a weekend, you could be wondering what causes the is falling asleep after eating sugar a sign of diabetes. It is good to know that post-meal fatigue, also called postprandial somnolence can not be an issue when it doesn't hinder a person's job or school life.

In some instances the post-lunch drop in energy could have repercussions in terms of productivity at work and can increase the risk of accidents . Trusted SourceNational Library of Medicine, Biotech InformationThe National Center for Biotechnology Information enhances health and science by offering access to genomic and biomedical information.View Source , which includes accidents involving cars. Additionally that, excessive sleepiness may be caused by a medical issue or sleep disorder.Whether the drowsiness begins following a meal is dependent on a variety of factors, including the time it happens, how much and the type of food consumed. Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech InformationThe National Center for Biotechnology Information enhances health and science by offering access to genomic and biomedical information.View Source . Knowing about more about postprandial sleepiness could help you understand the reason why people become tired after eating or a meal that causes sleepiness, and methods to decrease sleepiness following a meal.

What Is Postprandial Sleepiness?

Postprandial somnolence, also called postprandial somnolence is the term used to describe an euphoria that occurs after eating Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech InformationThe National Center for Biotechnology Information enhances health and science by offering access to genomic and biomedical information.View the Source . It's sometimes referred to by the name of post lunch dip. It is also it is more commonly referred to as an "food coma."

What Causes Postprandial Sleepiness?

Researchers aren't quite certain of the reason for people to fall asleep after eating. There are a myriad of reasons. can be responsible for this. SourceNational Library of Medicine, Biotech InformationThe National Center for Biotechnology Information improves health and science by offering access to genomic and biomedical information.View Source can affect energy levels following an eating session, which could include changes in certain cellular proteins. Source: Trusted SourceNational Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information improves health and science by offering access to genomic and biomedical information.View Source, hormones, blood flow and brain chemicals as well as inflammation and the internal clock of the body.

The food composition may affect whether someone is tired after eating. A more substantial meal is more likely to induce sleepiness, while certain foods and nutrients may affect sleepiness as well. The study has shown that meals that contain a lot of carbohydrate, fat or calories could cause an increase in the amount of sleepiness.

Other elements that can contribute to somnolence after a postprandial meal include time of eating, working schedule as well as general health, exposure to sunlight and the body's composition. Drowsiness after eating can also be an indication of excessive morning sleepiness that can happen due to inadequate sleep at night due to insomnia or other sleep issues.

With all the overlapping variables that it's difficult to determine the root reason for postprandial sleepiness. In reality, there are numerous possibilities for the reason why drowsiness may set upon eating. The causes can vary according to the individual and the food they eat.

Which Foods Can Make You Sleepy?

It is essential to determine how various food and nutrients affect the duration of nighttime sleepiness. Furthermore, many studies about eating habits and sleep are focused on sleep at night and is different from a dip in energy during the day. However, some types of food items are more likely to induce sleepiness.

• • High-fat food items can be heavy and rich:Fat-laden foods are often hard to digest and can cause stomach upset, which can lead to an more likely fatigue after eating.
  • The consumption of high-carbohydrate foods can lead to sleepiness Alongside fat, some studies have observed that meals that contain large quantities of carbohydrates may enhance the amount in postprandial fatigue.
  • Tryptophan activates the brain's sleep cycle: Tryptophan is an amino acid that is known to induce sleep. The Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech InformationThe National Center for Biotechnology Information improves health and science by giving access to genomic and biomedical information.View sources inside the brain. Turkey has significant amounts of tryptophan, therefore it is widely blamed for sleepiness following Thanksgiving dinner. Other foods that contain tryptophan are bananas, milk, oats as well as chocolate. Although tryptophan on its own is not the only ingredient that can cause sleepiness however, its effects can be enhanced when consumed in conjunction with carbohydrates.
  • Tart cherries are known to promote sleep. A few studies have revealed tart cherries as a reliable source. Library of Medicine, Biotech InformationThe National Center for Biotechnology Information improves health and science by offering access to genomic and biomedical information.View Source to be associated with improved sleep. Certain varieties of sour cherries have tryptophan and melatoninwhich are an hormone that regulates sleep. They also contain additional active components that could aid in sleep.

• Nuts are a great source of the melatonin hormone: Pistachios, walnuts and other nuts possess one of the highest levels of melatonin. of any trusted source. Library of Medicine, Biotech InformationThe National Center for Biotechnology Information enhances health and science by giving access to genomic and biomedical information.View the sources of food products from plants. Due to the effect of the melatonin hormone on sleep, eating an excessive amount of nuts could cause the feeling of somnolence.