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Sleepy after meal? Don't blame turkey
StarTribune ^ | 11/19/07 | Karen Youso

Posted on 11/19/2007 6:48:39 PM PST by ButThreeLeftsDo

Q Is it true that there's something in turkey that makes a person sleepy? If so, what is it? A If eating turkey makes you sleepy, then Swiss cheese will make you sleepier. That's because the essential amino acid tryptophan, said to cause sleepiness, is found in turkey, but also in other protein foods -- sometimes in larger amounts. For example:

• 100 grams of roasted turkey contain 0.333 grams of tryptophan.

• 100 grams of Swiss cheese contain 0.401 grams of tryptophan.

• 100 grams of roasted pork loin contain 0.341 grams of tryptophan.

Tryptophan is used to produce the B-vitamin niacin, which, in turn, is used to produce serotonin, a neurotransmitter that exerts a calming effect and regulates sleep.

But the sleepiness effect is a little more complicated than that.

While turkey often is blamed for making people sleepy after the Thanksgiving feast, it is actually the carbohydrate-rich (not protein-rich) meal that increases the level of tryptophan and leads to serotonin synthesis.

Carbohydrates stimulate the pancreas to secrete insulin. 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 the familiar sleepy feeling is the result.

(Excerpt) Read more at startribune.com ...


TOPICS: Agriculture; Food; Miscellaneous; Pets/Animals
KEYWORDS: gobble
A blessed and Happy Thanksgiving to EVERYONE, here.
1 posted on 11/19/2007 6:48:40 PM PST by ButThreeLeftsDo
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To: ButThreeLeftsDo

Thank you and you, too.

I am not sure if it is the turkey. I might get sleepy due to the additives such as stuffing, yams, stuffing, gravy, rolls, stuffing, pie, ice cold RC Cola.


2 posted on 11/19/2007 6:52:26 PM PST by A knight without armor
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To: ButThreeLeftsDo

BULLSHIT! Scientist be damned. I’m tired after the turkey. But hey, how bout them Cowboys?


3 posted on 11/19/2007 6:52:44 PM PST by Jaysun (It's outlandishly inappropriate to suggest that I'm wrong.)
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To: ButThreeLeftsDo
Once your sugar hits 270 mg/ml that'll usually knock you on your tail for an hour or so ~ until your insulin works it down.

So, how do you get a high sugar count at Thanksgiving? Well, try the bisquits, then the gravy, then the noodles, then the dressing, then the sparkling fruit juice from IKEA, then......

Turkey doesn't do it. Butter doesn't do it. Even sweet potatos and baked potatoes don't do it ~ too much fiber in there, but mashed potatoes may send you on a trip.

I don't pass out on Thanksgiving. This year I'll be driving out to the Midwest to see my son graduate from college. But when I get there I will limit things to meat and a can of Crisco.

4 posted on 11/19/2007 6:56:45 PM PST by muawiyah
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To: muawiyah
I don't pass out on Thanksgiving. This year I'll be driving out to the Midwest to see my son graduate from college. But when I get there I will limit things to meat and a can of Crisco.

Congratulations to you sir. What you and your son eat is irrelevant. Congratulations!
5 posted on 11/19/2007 6:59:26 PM PST by Jaysun (It's outlandishly inappropriate to suggest that I'm wrong.)
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To: A knight without armor

Small gathering this week. Just me and one of my two sisters and Mom, she just turned 90.

I’m sharpening up my favorites for the carving of the bird...


6 posted on 11/19/2007 6:59:33 PM PST by ButThreeLeftsDo (Tracking The "Flyin' Imams Since 11/20/06)
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To: muawiyah

Congrats to you and your son!!!!

Could this be a Thanksgiving Live Thread??????


7 posted on 11/19/2007 7:02:10 PM PST by ButThreeLeftsDo (Tracking The "Flyin' Imams Since 11/20/06)
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To: ButThreeLeftsDo
Aww, that sounds so nice.
8 posted on 11/19/2007 7:06:55 PM PST by A knight without armor
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To: ButThreeLeftsDo
A blessed and Happy Thanksgiving to EVERYONE, here.

And to you and yours.

9 posted on 11/19/2007 7:09:46 PM PST by Zuben Elgenubi
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To: A knight without armor

I’m hoping that it is not the last.....


10 posted on 11/19/2007 7:14:14 PM PST by ButThreeLeftsDo (Tracking The "Flyin' Imams Since 11/20/06)
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To: ButThreeLeftsDo

I know but then just think none of us know.


11 posted on 11/19/2007 7:17:52 PM PST by A knight without armor
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To: A knight without armor

Aye.


12 posted on 11/19/2007 7:28:21 PM PST by ButThreeLeftsDo (Tracking The "Flyin' Imams Since 11/20/06)
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