Food Coma: Is the lethargy after lunch just laziness or a sign of some hidden disease in the body? – ..
Do your eyes also start getting heavy every afternoon after having lunch? Yawning frequently and focusing on the computer screen seems like a daunting task? If your answer is yes, then rest assured you are not alone. This is a very common problem among working people around the world. Many times, people have to face a lot of embarrassment due to dozing off while working in the office.
Generally people dismiss it as just the result of eating heavy food or normal laziness. But in the language of medical science this condition is Postprandial Somnolence or colloquially ‘Food Coma’ It is said. Let us understand in simple words what changes inside our body after lunch that makes us miss bed.
Why do you feel so sleepy after lunch? Know the science behind it
Feeling lethargic after eating food is a completely natural biological process. Our digestive system and hormones are mainly responsible for this:
Change in blood circulation: As soon as we eat food, our digestive system gets busy digesting the food. To speed up this process, blood flow from the rest of the body increases towards the stomach and digestive organs. Due to this, blood circulation in the brain slows down a bit, due to which we start feeling lethargic and lazy.
Increase of serotonin hormone: When we include high-carbohydrate and high-protein items (like rice, more rotis, sweets or fried food) in our lunch, the glucose level in the body increases rapidly. This process occurs in the brain Serotonin Activates the neurotransmitter named, which is also called ‘sleep regulator’. This hormone calms our brain and sends the signal of sleep.
Normal lethargy vs medical condition: When should one be cautious?
If you occasionally feel a little nauseous after a heavy lunch, this is completely normal. But if this problem persists every day and along with it there is a constant feeling of weakness in the body, then it can also be a sign of some internal health problems.
Expert opinion: How to get rid of this problem?
? Advice from Dr. Pradeep Kumar Shailat (Internal Medicine Specialist)
“The best way to avoid feeling sluggish after meals is to improve your diet and eating patterns. Avoid overeating in the afternoon. Instead, divide your food into smaller portions and eat small amounts several times throughout the day. Along with this, being physically active and including yoga and light exercise in your daily routine can control this problem to a great extent.”
5 surefire ways to stay active after lunch in the office
If you want your brain to work like a rocket even after lunch and sleep does not stray anywhere, then definitely try these easy tips:
Keep lunch light and balanced: Reduce the amount of heavy carbohydrates (like white rice, refined flour, heavy parathas) in lunch. Instead, include protein, green vegetables, salads and fiber-rich things in your plate. This food is easy to digest and does not cause sudden sugar spike.
Make a habit of post-meal walk: Do not make the mistake of coming and sitting on your office chair immediately after finishing lunch. After eating, take a light walk in the office corridor or outside for at least 5 to 10 minutes. This short walk improves your digestion and drives away laziness instantly.
Drink plenty of water: Many times, due to dehydration in the body, we feel very tired and lethargic during the day. Therefore, drink adequate amount of water half an hour after lunch so that the body remains hydrated and active.
Don’t compromise on night sleep: Staying awake till late at night is also a major reason for sleepiness during the day. To completely recharge your body, take at least 7 to 8 hours of deep and peaceful sleep at night.
Say goodbye to physical inactivity: People who work sitting at one place all day long, their metabolism slows down. Get up from your seat every hour in between work and do some stretching. This habit will maintain the energy level in your body.
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