After eating, our body directs a large part of its energy towards digestion, which can lead to a feeling of drowsiness. Additionally, some foods like tryptophan found in turkey can promote the production of serotonin, a neurotransmitter associated with relaxation and sleep.
When you eat, your body exerts extra effort to manage all of that. The stomach and intestines get to work breaking down food into smaller, more absorbable pieces. This intense activity requires a lot of energy, which directs blood towards your digestive system. As a result, there is less blood available for other parts of your body, like your brain, which contributes to a feeling of fatigue. It is partly because of this energy mobilization that you feel the urge to doze off after a good meal.
What you eat directly affects your level of fatigue after a meal. The carbohydrates found in foods like pasta, rice, or bread cause a rapid spike in blood sugar levels, which then leads to a quick drop, resulting in a nice decrease in energy afterward. Foods high in proteins can increase the production of serotonin, a neurotransmitter associated with feelings of calmness, even drowsiness. And then fats, when consumed in large quantities, take longer to digest, diverting more blood to your digestive system, leaving your brain a bit less alert during that time.
When you eat, certain specific hormones come into play, the most well-known being insulin. Its role? To facilitate the storage and absorption of glucose (sugar) in the cells. Insulin increases after a rich meal, which can indirectly promote a state of relaxation and drowsiness.
Another important player is serotonin, sometimes called the "happiness hormone." After consuming carbohydrate-rich foods, especially slow sugars, your body boosts serotonin production. The result: you feel relaxed, calm, and... ready for a little nap.
Finally, there is melatonin, the famous sleep hormone. Some foods or heavy meals can stimulate melatonin production, which encourages your body to gently prepare for sleep. That's why you struggle a bit against your eyelids after eating.
When you eat, your body sends more blood to the digestive organs to facilitate their work, and as a result, your brain receives a little less energy and oxygen. The outcome: you feel a bit sluggish, even downright tired. Your nervous system naturally shifts into relaxation mode after a meal, especially a large one. Digestion raises your body temperature, which can also contribute to feelings of drowsiness. In the brain, certain substances known as neurotransmitters come into play after eating. Serotonin, in particular, contributes to that pleasant feeling of relaxation and well-being, but it can also make your eyelids quite heavy.
Our circadian rhythm is our internal clock. It regulates many things like sleep, hormones, and digestion, based on light and the time of day. When you eat at regular times, your body gets used to and anticipates this rhythm. The post-meal slump then becomes quite predictable, especially in the early afternoon when you naturally feel a dip in energy. Conversely, when you eat at unusual or very late hours, your body struggles a bit: as a result, you often feel even more tired. Ideally, it's best to have regular eating times and to synchronize your meals with your usual rhythm. Your body, your sleep, and even your mood will definitely benefit from it.
Coffee right after a meal doesn't always provide an immediate energy boost. It usually takes about 20 to 30 minutes for caffeine to start affecting your nervous system. Therefore, it's better to wait after the meal for more effective results.
A short nap after lunch, known as a "power nap," lasting about 10 to 20 minutes, can not only enhance your focus but also reduce your stress and improve your mood for the rest of the day.
Foods rich in tryptophan (such as turkey, eggs, or certain nuts and seeds) help your brain produce serotonin, a calming neurotransmitter that promotes relaxation and sleep after meals.
The feeling of fatigue after a meal can vary depending on the foods you choose. For example, meals high in protein and low in carbohydrates generally cause less drowsiness than those rich in simple sugars and saturated fats.
Heavy meals require a longer digestion time and mobilize more bodily energy. The intensive digestive process leads to an increase in blood circulation to the digestive system, thereby reducing the availability of energy for other body functions.
Coffee, thanks to caffeine, can temporarily reduce fatigue by stimulating the central nervous system. However, it does not actually decrease drowsiness caused by the digestive process and can even disrupt your sleep if consumed too late.
Yes, a short nap of about 15 to 20 minutes after a meal can enhance your concentration and energy for the afternoon, as long as you don't extend it too long so as not to disrupt your nighttime sleep cycle.
Adopting lighter, more balanced meals, prioritizing light foods, drinking water regularly, and avoiding excessive consumption of fast sugars can help reduce the feeling of drowsiness after meals.
Certain foods high in complex carbohydrates, such as pasta and rice, as well as foods rich in tryptophan, like chicken, eggs, and fish, promote a feeling of fatigue and drowsiness after a meal.
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