Why do we sleep after eating?

Drowsiness after a meal is the body's response to chemical changes during digestion, which is normal and concerns everyone. However, if drowsiness occurs every time after eating and harms your work capacity, this may be a concern, according to the site "thejakartapost".

Reasons to be sleepy after the meal

When the stomach is full, many sleepy people cause drowsiness after eating, due to a number of factors, such as the type of food you eat, the sleep patterns, and the health status of each person.

Models of digestion and brain hormones

After eating, the body secretes hormones such as amylene, glucagon and colicestocinin, which increase the blood sugar level, thereby creating a feeling of satiety and insulin production, then the brain releases serotonin, which causes drowsiness.

Food also affects the production of melatonin in the brain, the hormone responsible for drowsiness after a meal.

The type of food you eat

Foods rich in protein, such as meat, poultry, eggs, fish, spinach, cheese and soy, contain tryptophan, an amino acid that the body uses to make the serotonin responsible for the drowsiness.

Foods containing carbohydrates also contribute to the production of serotonin and amino acids in the brain.

Eat too much

After the meal, the body pumps more blood into the digestive system to improve the digestion of food in large amounts, causing a temporary shortage of blood and nutrients in the brain. It is best to eat a balanced diet containing vegetables and grains as well as good fats to provide the body with continuous energy with plenty of water from the sugar intake.

The state of health

If you feel drowsy regularly after a meal, it can be a sign of diseases such as gastrointestinal illness, anemia, food intolerance, allergies, sleep apnea, and thyroid problems.