The big myth has been busted folks. Contrary to popular belief, eating turkey isn’t the main reason you feel sleepy after a Thanksgiving feast.
The big ‘sleepy turkey’ myth stems from the fact that turkey contains the amino acid tryptophan, which forms the basis of brain chemicals that make people tired. But turkey isn’t any more sleep-inducing than other foods. In fact, consuming large amounts of carbohydrates and alcohol may be the real cause of a post-Thanksgiving-meal snooze, experts say.
Tryptophan is a component of the brain chemical serotonin, which gets converted into the well-known sleep-inducing hormone melatonin. Poultry and many other foods also contain tryptophan, in similar amounts to that found in turkey. Gram for gram, cheddar cheese actually contains more tryptophan than turkey does.
It’s the heaps of carbohydrates — the stuffing, potatoes and yams smothered in marshmallows — that are the true problem.
So, the myth is busted and you now have the knowledge to shut down those who mention the myth at the Thanksgiving table!
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