The Curious Clinicians [Archive] Thanksgiving & The Food Coma
Nov 22, 2023
In this podcast, the hosts dive into the myth of tryptophan from turkey causing the notorious Thanksgiving food coma. They explore the effect of tryptophan on sleepiness, its interaction with the blood brain barrier, and how Thanksgiving side dishes can impact its movement into the brain. They also discuss the theory that starchy Thanksgiving meals cause sleepiness by affecting amino acid levels and tryptophan conversion.
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Tryptophan in Foods
- Tryptophan, an essential amino acid, is found in protein-rich foods.
- Turkey contains tryptophan, but it's not uniquely high compared to other proteins like pork, fish, or cheese.
Tryptophan, Milk, and Sleep
- The belief that milk promotes sleep is linked to its tryptophan content.
- Similar to turkey, the presence of tryptophan in both milk and turkey contributes to the idea that they induce sleepiness.
Tryptophan and Sleepiness Study
- A study showed that participants given tryptophan felt sleepier than those given a placebo.
- This effect was observed as early as 45 minutes after ingestion.