Tryptophan in turkey makes you sleepy
| Tryptophan in turkey makes you sleepy | |
|---|---|
| MISLEADING | |
| "The tryptophan in turkey is why people get drowsy after Thanksgiving dinner." | |
| Domain | Food, Nutrition & Wellness |
| Tactic | Pseudoscience / Junk Science |
| Era | Historical |
| First seen | 20th century |
| Origin | Popular holiday lore in the United States |
| Last reviewed | 2026-10-29 |
| Further reading: books on Food, Nutrition & Wellness | |
The idea that tryptophan in turkey makes you sleepy is repeated every Thanksgiving. Tryptophan is an amino acid the body uses to make serotonin and melatonin. But turkey contains about the same amount as chicken and other meats, and amino acids from a protein-rich meal compete to reach the brain. Holiday drowsiness is better explained by large meals, carbohydrates, alcohol and time off.
The claim
Turkey is said to be uniquely high in a sleep-inducing chemical.
What the evidence shows
- Ordinary levels. Nutritional databases show turkey's tryptophan content is similar to chicken and beef.
- Competition. Tryptophan competes with other amino acids to cross into the brain, so a protein-rich meal does not deliver a large dose.
- Other causes. Large meals, alcohol and relaxation all promote drowsiness.
Sources
- US Department of Agriculture, FoodData Central, nutrient profiles for turkey and chicken.
- Scientific American, "Fact or Fiction: Does Eating Turkey Make You Sleepy?" 2007.