Heart HealthIt’s not the turkey’s fault!
Have you heard the news? Turkey is not to blame for the post-meal Thanksgiving naps. It’s been well-known for years that turkey contains tryptophan. Tryptophan is a precursor of serotonin, the neurotransmitter that regulates sleep.
However, tryptophan makes up 1% of the protein in turkey. One percent is the typical content of meat, and actually half the tryptophan content of milk (2.34%).
Instead of turkey being at the root of Thanksgiving Day sleepiness, it’s the carbohydrates in all those side dishes, stuffing, mashed potatoes, etc. The extra carbohydrates boost insulin production. It’s speculated that this extra insulin may result in amino acids (excluding tryptophan) being pulled into muscles for use, leaving a high level of tryptophan in the bloodstream, hence the need for a nap.
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All the best,
Lisa Nelson, RD
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