paulinstl 296 Posted November 23, 2007 Nutritionists and other experts say that the tryptophan in turkey probably won't trigger the body to produce more serotonin because tryptophan works best on an empty stomach. The tryptophan in a Thanksgiving turkey has to vie with all the other amino acids that the body is trying to use. So only part of the tryptophan makes it to the brain to help produce serotonin. Most likely, it's the whole traditional Thanksgiving meal that can produce that after-dinner lethargy. The meal is quite often heavy and high in carbohydrates -- from mashed potatoes, to bread, stuffing and pie -- and your body is working hard to digest that food. After all, the average Thanksgiving meal contains 3,000 calories and 229 grams of fat. Blood sent to the digestive system means less blood sent to your nervous system, hence sleepiness. You're welcome. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kutulu 1,724 Posted November 23, 2007 I didn't even eat any turkey. Wifey made me chicky tenders. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rusty Syringes 479 Posted November 23, 2007 I wonder why that's in the turkey's biology. It certainly hasn't proved to be much of a defensive mechanism. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SUXBNME 1,638 Posted November 23, 2007 I wonder why that's in the turkey's biology. It certainly hasn't proved to be much of a defensive mechanism. That was actually pretty funny Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NorthernVike 2,113 Posted November 23, 2007 I didn't even eat any turkey. Took wifey to Mc Donalds. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rusty Syringes 479 Posted November 23, 2007 That was actually pretty funny Maybe thousands of years ago, a saber toofed tiger would eat a turkey and then fall asleep. And then the surviving turkeys would come in and peck the motherfucker to death. Maybe that's why the saber toofed tigers are extinct. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TheNewGirl 1,639 Posted November 23, 2007 Nutritionists and other experts say that the tryptophan in turkey probably won't trigger the body to produce more serotonin because tryptophan works best on an empty stomach. The tryptophan in a Thanksgiving turkey has to vie with all the other amino acids that the body is trying to use. So only part of the tryptophan makes it to the brain to help produce serotonin. Most likely, it's the whole traditional Thanksgiving meal that can produce that after-dinner lethargy. The meal is quite often heavy and high in carbohydrates -- from mashed potatoes, to bread, stuffing and pie -- and your body is working hard to digest that food. After all, the average Thanksgiving meal contains 3,000 calories and 229 grams of fat. Blood sent to the digestive system means less blood sent to your nervous system, hence sleepiness. You're welcome. Thank you for posting this!!! I learned this during my never-ending research about SSRI's and serotonin...I was just about to post the exact same thing!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
smashmouths@blf 33 Posted November 23, 2007 Myth Busters busted this myth. Ttryptophan does not cause you to get drowsey, it's the overeating and doing nothing but sit on your fat arse watching football. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
