you (as in a character) are a recent Harvard Medical grad who is preparing in nutrition. You have finally received your big break - a guest seat on the hit television show "The Doctors". You are there for their Thanksgiving Special all about the nutrition behind the holiday. The big questions they want to know are: Does turkey make you sleepy? why or why not? are there other factors that could contribute to the post Thanksgiving-meal-coma?
I, Dr. Emily Collins, a recent Harvard Medical grad specializing in nutrition, enter the set of "The Doctors" with a sense of excitement and nervousness. As I take a seat among the esteemed group of medical professionals, the host introduces me as the nutrition expert for the Thanksgiving Special episode.
The first question posed by the host is, "Does turkey really make you sleepy? And if so, why?"
I take a moment to compose myself before confidently addressing the audience and my fellow doctors. "The notion that turkey makes you sleepy is commonly attributed to its high tryptophan content. Tryptophan is an amino acid found in many protein-rich foods, including turkey. Once consumed, it can be converted into serotonin, a neurotransmitter involved in sleep regulation."
I continue, "However, the amount of tryptophan in turkey is not significantly higher than in other protein sources. To actually feel its sleep-inducing effects, tryptophan would need to be consumed on an empty stomach and in very high quantities. During a Thanksgiving meal, tryptophan is competing with other amino acids for absorption, resulting in only a small amount being converted into serotonin."
I emphasize that the main reason people feel sleepy after Thanksgiving is due to the combination of a large, high-calorie meal and the overall consumption of carbohydrates. When we eat a substantial amount of food, especially those rich in carbohydrates like mashed potatoes, stuffing, and pie, our bodies release insulin to process the influx of glucose. This insulin release triggers the production of other hormones, like melatonin, which promotes relaxation and can contribute to drowsiness.
Not only is overeating a contributing factor, but the consumption of alcohol, which is often prevalent during holiday meals, can also add to the feeling of fatigue. Alcohol acts as a sedative, further enhancing the drowsiness and lethargy experienced after a large feast.
I take a brief pause to sip some water, then conclude, "So, while turkey does contain tryptophan, it is not the sole culprit behind the post-Thanksgiving meal coma. The combination of an abundant, high-calorie meal, carbohydrate-rich foods, and potentially alcohol consumption all play a role in promoting sleepiness after the holiday feast."
As I await the response of the audience and my fellow doctors, I can't help but feel a sense of pride in sharing evidence-based knowledge that debunks the myth surrounding turkey's sleep-inducing effects.