Monday, May 31, 2010

Postprandial sleepiness - napping after lunch













I'm not sure if it needs proof. But according to research, people feel:
  • more feeble, dreamy, and bored and
  • less excited, clear-headed, energetic, quick-witted, friendly, sociable, and elated
after lunch.

Well the bodies circadian rhythm is partially responsible for that feeling of sleepiness during afternoons. But meals have an additional sedative effect. And it seems a high carb diet makes you more sleepy than a a high fat diet.

Why?
It may have something do do with hormones released after eating and also the effects on neurotransmitter production within the brain. This may result in changes to your brain activity.

One thing I haven't mentioned is that a lack of sleep at night would, of course, contribute to daytime sleepiness. It probably plays has bigger effect than what you had for lunch. ;)