Here Are The 3 Common Reasons You Get Sleepy After Eating

Researchers are not exactly sure why it is common for people to get sleepy after eating. Studies suggest that multiple factors may influence energy levels after a meal, including changes in hormones, blood flow, brain chemicals, inflammation, and the body’s internal clock.

The composition of a meal can affect whether a person feels sleepy after eating. A big meal may be more likely to cause sleepiness, and certain foods and nutrients can have an impact as well. Research has found that meals that are high in fat, carbohydrates, or calories may increase sleepiness.

Other factors that may play a role in postprandial sleepiness include a person’s meal timing, work schedule, overall health, exposure to daylight, and body composition. Post-meal drowsiness may also be a symptom of excessive daytime sleepiness, which can occur due to poor sleep at night from insomnia or another sleep issue.

Reasons You Get Sleepy After Eating

• Circadian Rhythm and Sleep Patterns

Many aspects of sleep and wakefulness are regulated by the body’s 24-hour internal clock, also known as its circadian rhythm. This rhythm can affect energy levels over the course of the day, which often involves a post-lunch dip that can cause sleepiness.

In addition, the propensity to fall asleep changes throughout the day. Most people experience the greatest sleepiness before bed but also have an increased desire to sleep near midday. This often occurs in the early afternoon, which is after many people eat lunch. Several factors can influence when and how much this dip in energy occurs, including whether someone tends to be a morning or evening person.

• Disrupted Sleep at Night

Drowsiness after lunch may be exacerbated by a broader problem of excessive sleepiness throughout the day. This tendency to feel extremely tired or doze off at inappropriate times can have many causes, including a failure to get enough quality sleep at night.

• Alcohol Consumption

Alcohol is known to have a sleep-inducing effect. As a result, consuming alcohol with a meal may make post-meal sluggishness more likely. Some research suggests that people who do not get enough sleep at night are more susceptible to drowsiness if they drink alcohol during the day. Even though alcohol can make it easier to fall asleep, it worsens sleep quality and can make it less likely for sleep to be restorative.

How to Prevent Sleepiness After Eating

• Eat Mindfully

Being aware of both the quantity and nutritional composition of a meal may help avoid postprandial sleepiness. While dietary needs and responses to food can vary from person to person, it may help to avoid large and heavy meals that can increase the urge to doze off after eating.

• Take a nap

Another strategy for avoiding the post-lunch dip is to take a quick nap. Several research studies have found that people who take naps of 15 to 45 minutes shortly after a meal feel less sleepy and more alert. However, it is important not to nap for too long because this can actually lead to greater sleepiness.