Khaberni - Many feel drowsy after eating, and it is a common phenomenon experienced by most of us to varying degrees. Although it is often natural, its repetition or exaggerated occurrence might indicate factors related to the quality of food, eating habits, or even internal biological processes. Understanding the reasons behind this feeling helps you control your daily energy and improve your lifestyle post-meals.
Reasons for Drowsiness After Meals
Feeling fatigue and drowsiness and lacking the ability to concentrate after meals is a common issue for many. Here are the key reasons for drowsiness after eating as mentioned on the site Verywell Fit:
• Type of food: Foods rich in proteins and carbohydrates cause more drowsiness in individuals compared to other types of food. Scientists hypothesize that the feeling of drowsiness post-meal is related to the body's release of the serotonin hormone, which regulates mood and the desire to sleep. Foods consisting of proteins contain the amino acid tryptophan, which stimulates the body to release serotonin, and carbohydrates aid in the absorption of tryptophan. Therefore, consuming foods rich in proteins like salmon, poultry, eggs, spinach, grains, milk, and cheese, along with carbohydrates like pasta, rice, white bread, and pastries makes one feel more drowsy.
• Amount of food: The likelihood of feeling drowsy after eating increases when consuming large amounts of food in one go, as individuals who eat large meals feel more drowsy compared to those who consume small, reasonable-sized meals.
• Timing of meals: An individual's biological clock affects their drowsiness after eating; it's completely natural to feel drowsy at two in the morning and two in the afternoon, which explains why many people feel the need to nap in the afternoon, particularly after having lunch at these times. It's crucial to get sunlight exposure to regulate a person's biological clock, but the timing of meals also plays a major role in feeling drowsy.
• Food allergies: One of the peculiar reasons for drowsiness after eating is that some individuals develop allergies from certain types of foods, which leads to fatigue and drowsiness as soon as the body absorbs the elements present in these foods. The body and immune system expend energy to eliminate the allergen, causing fatigue and drowsiness.
• Low potassium levels in the blood: Eating leads to an increase in insulin levels in the blood, which in turn causes potassium to enter into the cells, thus decreasing its level in the blood. The reduction of potassium levels in the blood renders a person tired after eating, a condition particularly noticeable in diabetic patients.
How to Overcome the Feeling of Drowsiness After Eating
It is quite annoying to feel drowsy after eating, especially when you want to accomplish many daily tasks, and it is also dangerous for those working with precision equipment or whose work involves driving vehicles, as mentioned by the site Very well health. After understanding the causes of drowsiness after eating, here are some simple ways to overcome this feeling:
1. Rely on consuming small, spaced-out meals to provide the human body with energy.
2. Ensure enough sleep at night, as it greatly reduces the feeling of drowsiness after eating.
3. Ensure walking and exercising, as it helps eliminate fatigue and stimulates human activity.
4. Take a short nap during afternoon hours.
5. Get exposure to sunlight and fresh air during the daytime.
