Many people feel sleepy after a meal. This is commonly known as "post-meal drowsiness," but if you feel unusually sleepy compared to others, you should consider the possibility of diabetes.

◇ When blood supply to the brain decreases, drowsiness can occur.

Post-meal drowsiness is a natural phenomenon that occurs not only in humans but also in animals. When blood flow is directed toward the stomach to digest the consumed food, the amount of blood flowing to the brain decreases, which can reduce concentration and cause sleepiness. Additionally, after eating, the parasympathetic nervous system, which relaxes the entire body, becomes active. In particular, consuming foods containing the amino acid tryptophan can make one feel sleepy. Tryptophan is a precursor to the hormone serotonin in the body, which helps to calm the mind and relieve tension. Furthermore, some of the tryptophan is converted into melatonin, a hormone that induces sleep.

To prevent food coma, you should not overeat. The more food you consume, the more blood is directed to the stomach, reducing the amount of oxygen supplied to the brain. Drinking coffee to wake up is only a temporary measure. Thanks to its stimulating effect, it can temporarily wake you up, but as the effect wears off over time, you will become tired again. Eating vegetables and fruits rich in vitamins and minerals that help relieve fatigue at each meal is effective in preventing food coma.

◇ If only I am unusually sleepy, it could be diabetes

Although food coma is a natural phenomenon, if you experience overwhelming drowsiness after a meal that is hard to resist, it is advisable to get your blood sugar checked. This could be a warning sign of diabetes. When blood sugar regulation ability declines, blood sugar levels spike rapidly after eating. To lower it, the body secretes excess insulin, causing blood sugar to drop again, leading to hypoglycemia, which can cause drowsiness, fatigue, and other symptoms.

If it is difficult to distinguish whether it is simple food coma or early symptoms of diabetes, you can try eating easily digestible foods like porridge or foods and juices high in monosaccharides. For diabetes patients who have difficulty controlling blood sugar, their blood sugar levels rise sharply when they eat such foods. To lower it, they secrete excess insulin, which causes blood sugar to drop and leads to feelings of fatigue. In addition to food coma, symptoms such as ▲severe thirst ▲frequent urination ▲overeating are especially indicative of a high risk of diabetes. In this case, it is advisable to visit a hospital promptly for testing.

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Severe thirst, frequent urination, and overeating -> related to diabetes.

We ate the same meal.

I'm the only one feeling sleepy, so there might be a problem with this.