If you feel sleepy after overeating, you are not alone. This condition is called a Food Coma and it is normal to happen. In medical language, it is also called postprandial somnolence. Let’s know everything about it.
What is Food Coma?
In a Food Coma, a person experiences sleepiness and fatigue after a large meal. Most people get its symptoms after lunch. Common symptoms of Food Coma are:
- To sleep
- Tiredness
- To be lazy
- Low energy level
- Inability to focus
Although the term coma is used in this situation, it cannot be considered a severe coma. In this, a person does not lose his senses.
Cause of Food Coma?
Still, not much research has been done on It. However, many theories remain in discussion regarding its reasons.
Changes in blood circulation: It is believed that due to increased blood flow in the stomach, less blood reaches the brain, which can lead to a food coma. But scientists have challenged this theory. He says that if the brain can maintain uniform blood flow throughout the body during heavy exercise, then no such change in the process of eating is possible.
Due to Over Eating: Most people complain of Food Coma only after a heavy meal. Many researchers have found that people who overeating, they get more sleep after eating.
High amounts of carbohydrates, fats, proteins, these nutrients trigger sleep. For example, carbohydrates increase the amount of the amino acid tryptophan in the blood, which increases the amount of the sleep hormone seratonin. Protein-rich foods are also high in tryptophan. Fat increases the amount of the hormone cholecystokinin, which can lead to a feeling of sleepiness.
Natural Rhythm of the body: Our body clock is of 24 hours. According to research, along with the sleep phase at night, there is also a short phase of sleeping in the afternoon. In this phase between 2 pm and 4 pm, people’s work performance is badly affected and there are more road accidents.
Evolution: Food coma has also been found in small organisms like nematodes. This means it may be that due to evolution, we feel sleepy after eating more. However, more research is needed on this.
Disadvantages of Food Coma?
It usually happens lasts for 4 hours after eating. The fatigue and sleep due to this can be risky in some situations. Example- While driving or handling heavy machines.
Sleepiness after eating can indicate diabetes. So always keep checking your blood sugar level.
How to Avoid It?
- It can be avoided by not overeating.
- Include all the nutrients in your diet. Unhealthy food can lead to Food Coma.
- Avoid the consumption of alcohol. It can disturb your night’s sleep, causing you to have trouble falling asleep in the afternoon.
- Drink lots of water. Keeping the body hydrated does not cause much fatigue.
- Get 7 to 8 hours of sleep daily.
- If sleep is hindering your work, take a half-hour nap. This will make you feel fresh.
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