With the exams round the corner, Tanvi engrossed herself in
to books. The lack of sleep and the strenuous condition took toll over her
health. Even the early morning seemed to be groggy. She ran to the kitchen and
prepared herself a heavy breakfast in the hope that the food will re-energize
her and give the much need boost.
But to her horror it gave her Food Coma. She felt more
sleepy and dull.
Have you ever experienced food coma too?
What is Food Coma?
Food coma- or medically known as postprandial somnolence,
happens after eating a large meal that stimulates activity in the
parasympathetic nervous system, which tells your body to slow down and digest. It leads to post eating sleepiness.
Why does it happen?
Let us explain it in simple words. Well, when we eat, our
digestive system is all geared up to digest our meal. As food breaks down into
simple sugar like glucose which your body can easily assimilate and use as
fuel, there is a hike in blood sugar. The brain counter acts this and releases
the hunter hormone insulin. Insulin
hunts down the glucose in the blood and brings the blood sugar level down.

Serotonin is a hormone which plays a key role in both
emotional stability and sleep patterns
Melatonin is a natural hormone that regulates our night or
day rhythm. It helps control your sleep and wake cycles.
Another theory is about Orexins also known as Hypocretin.
Orexin is a protein produced
by special neurons in the hypothalamus of brain. Orexins regulates wakefulness
and appetite.
Studies show that when the glucose levels increase (after a heavy
meal) the orexin level decreases, and so does your power to stay awake.
Myths associated with it.

Brain and blood myth -Many think that the reason for
postprandial somnolence was because our blood left our brains and was shunted
to our stomach. Well this is not true. In a 2003 study, German researchers tracked
blood flow in the body after twenty men ate a heavy meal. There was no
difference in how much blood reached the brain.
Well, we know food is a necessary evil. One cannot avoid it.
The thing that has to be avoided is food coma.
5 ways to avoid food coma.
• Take
smaller and frequent meals. Chew your food slowly.
• Avoid
high- carb diet and balance it with healthy fats and proteins to slow down the
glucose spike.
• Drink
plenty of water. Water can make a difference as it can help flush out your
system faster.
• Exercise
a bit. It will help you become active again.
• Get
proper sleep. When we are sleep deprived our brain releases hunger hormones and
makes you overeat. Over-eating will give you Food coma and make you sleepy. It is a vicious cycle you
know!
Don’t let the food transform you in to a sleepy head. Follow
what Benjamin Franklin said “Eat not to dullness; drink not to elevation”. Stay
healthy and energized.
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