Tired After Eating? Here’s Why, and How to Fix It
Five takeaways:
- Nutritionists often hear clients complain that eating lunch inevitably leads to an afternoon of fatigue, making it difficult to work. This is called postprandial somnolence — or, as it is known colloquially, the food coma.
- Part of this phenomenon is due to basic physiology: When humans eat, most of our blood goes to the digestive organs to process the food. After a person eats, the body might produce more serotonin, a neurotransmitter that regulates sleep and mood.
- Many combat this phenomenon by avoiding heavy lunches, but the makeup of foods can have just as drastic an effect. Meals high in fat such as fried foods or pizza, or meals high in added/refined sugar can have the exact same effect.
- Poor or limited sleep can also exacerbate post-lunch fatigue. Sleep regulates digestive hormones. A sleep-deprived body may suppress a hormone called leptin that sends the “I’m full” signal to the brain.
- For some, post-lunch fatigue can signal something more serious: diabetes or prediabetes. If you repeatedly feel tired after eating lunch even after making dietary adjustments, consult your doctor.
From Kristen Rogers for CNN
Read the whole story.
This site may contain links to articles or other information that may be contained on a third-party website. Advisory Services Network, LLC and MAP Strategic Wealth Advisors are not responsible for and do not control, adopt, or endorse any content contained on any third party website. The information and material contained in linked articles is of a general nature and is intended for educational purposes only. Links to articles do not constitute a recommendation or a solicitation or offer of the purchase or sale of securities.