Why does eating Turkey make you sleepy ?

Answer 1

it contains tryptophan which is a chemical that makes you sleepy

Answer 2

The turkey is often cited as the culprit in afterdinner lethargy, but the truth is that you could omit the bird altogether and still feel the effects of the feast. Turkey does contain L-tryptophan, an essential amino acid with a documented sleep inducing effect. L-tryptophan is used in the body to produce the B-vitamin, niacin. Niacin, in turn, is used to produce serotonin, a neurotransmitter that exerts a calming effect and regulates sleep. However, L-tryptophan needs to be taken on an empty stomach and without any other amino acids or protein in order to make you drowsy. There's lots of protein in a serving of turkey and it's probably not the only food on the table.
It's worth noting that other foods contain as much or more tryptophan than turkey (0.333 g of tryptophan per 100 gram edible portion), including chicken (0.292 g of tryptophan per 100 gram edible portion), pork, and cheese. As with turkey, other amino acids are present in these foods besides tryptophan, so they don't make you sleepy.
L-tryptophan may be found in turkey and other dietary proteins, but it's actually a carbohydrate-rich (as opposed to protein-rich) meal that increases the level of this amino acid in the brain and leads to serotonin synthesis. Carbohydrates stimulate the pancreas to secrete insulin. When this occurs, some amino acids that compete with tryptophan leave the bloodstream and enter muscle cells. This causes an increase in the relative concentration of tryptophan in the bloodstream. Serotonin is synthesized and you feel that familiar sleepy feeling.
Fats slow down the digestive system, giving Thanksgiving dinner plenty of time to take effect. Fats also take a lot of energy to digest, so the body will redirect blood to your digestive system to tackle the job. It takes a great deal of energy to digest a large meal. When your stomach is full, blood is directed away from other organ systems, including your nervous system. The result? You will feel the need to snooze after any big meal, particularly if it is high in fats and carbohydrates.
Although many people find the holidays stressful, the most relaxing part of the festivities is likely to be the meal. No matter what you may have been doing throughout the day, Thanksgiving dinner provides an opportunity to sit back and relax -- a feeling that can carry over after the meal.

It's a combination of the type of food, amount of food, and celebratory atmosphere. Happy Thanksgiving!

Answer 3

Like many protein foods, turkey contains the essential amino acid tryptophan. Tryptophan is used to produce the B-vitamin, niacin, which is used to produce serotonin, a neurotransmitter that exerts a calming effect and regulates sleep.
Turkeys have this amino acid in the meat and thus makes you sleepy.

Answer 4

Turkey triggers tryptophan in the brain. That is what soothes and calms you. Makes you relaxed and sleepy. Trptophan is a natural hormone our bodies produce. And as we age we produce less. The foods you eat trigger higher production of it. Hope you had a great Christmas. And a happy new year.

Answer 5

Studies show that you have to eat 8 whole turkeys before you have enough of w/e in it that makes you sleepy

Answer 6

I honestly don't think eating turkey is supposed to make you sleepy. It's probably something you eat or drink with the turkey, unless someone has snuck into your fridge and drugged the turkey.

Answer 7

Turkey is high in L-tryptophan, a natural sedative.

Answer 8

This is a myth. The myth is that the amino acid trytophan present in turkey makes you tired. It is true that large doses of trytophan can make you tired, but there is not a significant amount of it present in a turkey to create any drowsiness.

Answer 9

Tryptophan! It's also highly concentrated in milk, which is why the wive's tale about drinking some warm milk.

Answer 10

In a word... tryptophan. See link below for info;