WHY WE FEEL TIRED AFTER EATING?

In this article, I shall help you explore the myriad of reasons and theories that explain the phenomenon of a decrease in energy levels after a meal, officially called “postprandial somnolence”. And if you want to know the ways of overcoming it too, then you have reached just the right place!

Sleepiness after a meal isn’t a feature unique to humans. As a matter of fact, it is widely found across species. Few experts have proposed the hypothesis of ‘vigilance signals', according to which animals and humans stay alert so long as they don’t get food and once they do, they become relaxed. Another theory claims that eating causes blood sugar to rise due to the release of few hormones, namely– amylin, glucagon, and cholecystokinin after we eat. The most widely believed theory tells us that after our bellies are filled with food, blood rushes towards the small intestine and the consequential drop in blood flow toward our brains causes fatigue.

But, more recent studies point towards two major determinants— Sleep cycle and Digestion pattern.

Perhaps, you are simply habituated to feel sleepy at a particular time during the day, e.g., after an afternoon meal. So whether you eat or you don't might not have much of a say in keeping you alert or otherwise. On the other hand, the relationship between sleepiness and the digestive pattern is due to a liaison existing among factors such as what you eat, when you eat, and how much you eat.

Be cautious about what you eat

As the findings suggest, taking in both carbohydrates and protein together works as a trigger for a chain of reactions inside our body which may eventually make us sleep. You see there’s a hormone called Melatonin. Melatonin has been long associated with the sleep-wake cycle.

The protein in our diet contains an amino acid, tryptophan, which helps the body in producing serotonin (a key hormone that stabilizes our mood and happiness). Notably, carbohydrate is known to help in the absorption of tryptophan. The chain of reaction end with the production of melatonin.

Protein-rich food includes- salmon, poultry, eggs, spinach, seeds, milk, cheese, etc.

Foods rich in carbohydrates are- rice, white bread, cakes, biscuits, pasta, etc.

So, What helps?

Sleepiness or lack of alertness is potentially very harmful to someone working with machinery or driving a vehicle. A study on industrial workers revealed that workers who had skipped dinner the previous night were found to be more alert at 4 in the morning than those who had eaten¹. Another finding suggests that bright lights are useful to drive away sleepiness ².

Below are few equally effective ways.

• Getting good sleep at night: It’s difficult to over-emphasize the importance of good sleep. An adult must get at least 7-8 hours' sleep daily.
• Don’t overeat: In fact, it’s best to eat little and frequently.
• Going for a walk.
• Taking a short nap.
• Avoiding alcohol with meals.

If the problem persists, it’s advisable to see a doctor. Your sleepiness may be due to the following underlying conditions:-

• Food intolerance or allergies.
• Immune reaction to gluten, barley, or rye (Celiac disease).
• Anemia: It decreases your RBCs whose function is to carry oxygen to organs and tissues.
• Diabetes(high blood sugar levels).

Hey readers, thanks for your time. Any sort of appreciation or support from your side would be crucial for me as a budding writer. Have a nice day!

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References:

¹https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5633358/

²https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4446306/