The Importance of Breakfast and How to Prevent Food Coma.

Many people have experienced feeling sleepy after a meal, known as a food coma. What causes this sudden drowsiness after eating? Food coma occurs when blood flow to the brain shifts to the digestive system after eating, resulting in a decrease in the amount of blood supplied to the brain, leading to reduced concentration and inducing drowsiness. Additionally, the amino acid tryptophan contained in food is converted to serotonin, known as the happiness hormone, but it also plays a role in inducing drowsiness. For these reasons, food coma mainly occurs after lunch, especially since lunchtime aligns our body's circadian rhythm similar to nighttime, exacerbating food coma.

 

Food coma is a common phenomenon in daily life, but it can be overcome with appropriate coping strategies.

 

However, there are ways to overcome food coma. First and foremost, it's essential to have breakfast. Skipping breakfast or not eating enough in the morning can lead to overeating or binge eating at lunch, which can cause food coma. Also, after a meal, it's important to avoid overeating and be cautious not to consume foods rich in tryptophan, the precursor of serotonin. Instead, it's advisable to consume vegetables and fruits rich in vitamins and minerals to relieve fatigue.

 

Moreover, it's recommended to take a 10-minute walk after meals. Walking under the sun and absorbing sunlight helps prevent serotonin from converting to melatonin. Additionally, if you still feel sleepy or lethargic afterward, stretching can be helpful. Stimulating both hemispheres of the brain by moving each hand in different directions is effective in awakening the entire brain. Moving the right hand up and down while simultaneously moving the left hand right and left, and then switching hands to perform the same movements is recommended.

 

However, if none of these methods are effective and drowsiness persists, taking a short nap is one solution. It's important to take a short nap of about 5 to 10 minutes and avoid lying down for too long. Taking a short nap temporarily relieves fatigue and helps continue daily activities in a better state.

 

Food coma is a common phenomenon in daily life, but it can be overcome with appropriate coping strategies. Overcoming food coma through healthy eating habits and adequate activity is essential for maintaining our health.