does tryptophan in turkey make us sleepy?

if bets were allowed on thanksgiving dinner conversations, the return would be low on whether or not someone says tryptophan makes you sleepy. but does the chemical compound found in the poultry dish actually call for a nap before dessert, or is it all in our heads?

who first ate turkey?

the tasty bird’s ancestors were first domesticated in mesoamerica – an area consisting of southern mexico and central america – 2,700 years ago . in the 15th century, spanish sailors took these birds back to europe, where they were crossbred with other birds and eventually brought back to north america in the 17th century. 

according to the national turkey federation (seriously), the united states is the world’s largest producer of turkey, having produced 216 million birds, 5.5 billion pounds, in 2021. 

the next largest producers of turkey are brazil, germany, poland, and france. though canada is the eighth highest in the world .

turkey is high in protein, low in fat

turkey is high in protein, with a 100 gram serving containing a whopping 30.9 grams of protein, according to bbc .

the bird is also a good source of vitamin b3, b6, and b12, responsible for creating cholesterol, brain development, and red blood cell production respectively. plus, it is low in fat, and contains less cholesterol than chicken, pork, and beef, according to the australian turkey federation (again, seriously).

turkey may contain selenium

the food also contains selenium, a mineral linked to the development of cancer, according to the memorial sloan kettering cancer center . however, there are others that suggest selenium may be beneficial for thyroid functionality and have some benefits for the immune system.

as with other meats, the risk of contaminated or undercooked turkey is real. in december 2019, just before christmas, there were 126 cases of salmonella in canada that were found to be linked to turkey .

turkey is known to make you sleepy. why?

turkey contains tryptophan, an acid that many believe to make you sleepy. however, it’s not exactly the full truth. turkey and other meats contain the compound, and after we eat it, the acid travels from the blood to the brain where it releases serotonin, which calms us down and can help us sleep, according to johns hopkins all children’s hospital . but tryptophan isn’t really the culprit in making you want an afternoon nap.