what does turkey contain that makes you sleepy

Turkey contains the amino acid tryptophan , which the body can convert into the sleep‑related substances serotonin and melatonin, but the sleepiness people feel after eating turkey is mostly due to large, heavy meals rich in carbs and fat rather than turkey alone.

Quick Scoop

• Turkey is rich in the amino acid tryptophan, a building block of protein that the body uses to make serotonin and, eventually, melatonin, both linked with relaxation and sleep.

• However, turkey does not have uniquely high tryptophan levels compared with many other meats and cheeses, so turkey by itself is unlikely to knock you out.

• The classic “food coma” after a turkey dinner is more strongly tied to overeating, especially large portions of carbohydrates (like stuffing, potatoes, and desserts) and fat, which shift blood flow to the gut and can increase drowsiness.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.