I feel sleepy right after eating! It may be carbon monoxide poisoning →

Have you ever had this experience?

Just finished a great lunch

My eyelids feel heavy

Feeling sleepy?

Maybe it's because of the carbon monoxide poisoning

Today, Dr. Ke will take you

Exploring the science behind carbon haloes

See how to deal with it cleverly!

"Carb halo" is a popular term used to describe the phenomenon of people feeling sleepy after consuming a large amount of carbohydrates, medically known as "postprandial somnolence" or "food coma". This drowsiness is related to rapid changes in blood sugar levels , which in turn are directly related to the glycemic index (GI) of food.

Carbohydrates are the main source of energy for the human body and are widely found in foods such as whole grains, pasta, and fruits. The glycemic index (GI) is a scientific indicator that measures the effect of carbohydrates in food on blood sugar levels. High GI foods, such as refined sugar and white bread, can cause a sharp rise in blood sugar levels due to their rapid digestion and absorption. In contrast, low GI foods, such as whole grains and beans, have a more stable effect on blood sugar levels due to their slower digestion and absorption.

A sharp rise in blood sugar levels triggers a surge in insulin secretion. The main function of insulin is to promote the entry of glucose into cells, thereby lowering blood sugar concentrations. Insulin also has the effect of promoting the liver to convert tryptophan into serotonin, which is further converted into melatonin (a hormone that promotes sleep).

Therefore, when an individual consumes high GI foods and their blood sugar levels rise rapidly, insulin secretion increases, which in turn promotes the production of melatonin , causing drowsiness . This phenomenon is called "carbon halo". In short, the rapid changes in blood sugar levels caused by high GI foods ultimately lead to drowsiness after meals through changes in insulin and hormone levels.

"Carb halo" is essentially a normal physiological reaction, but frequent post-meal sleepiness may indicate that our diet structure is unreasonable or there are potential health problems . Long-term high-sugar and high-fat diets not only lead to weight gain, but may also increase the risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

Therefore, we should moderate our carbohydrate intake. In addition, if you suddenly experience "carb dizziness" for a period of time , you should also consider whether you are under too much stress or lack of sleep recently.

(1)

Adjust your diet

① Give priority to low GI foods: choose whole grains such as whole wheat bread, brown rice, oats, as well as beans and potatoes (such as sweet potatoes and potatoes) as staple foods. They can slowly release energy and stabilize blood sugar.

②Increase dietary fiber: Eat more green leafy vegetables, fruits, and foods rich in dietary fiber, which can help delay gastric emptying and control the rate of blood sugar rise.

③ Balanced protein: Consume a moderate amount of high-quality protein such as fish, poultry, eggs, milk, etc., which not only help maintain a feeling of fullness, but also balance nutritional intake.

(2)

Adjust the order of eating

① Eat vegetables first: Eat vegetables rich in dietary fiber first, which can effectively slow down the digestion speed of subsequent food.

② Eat protein and fat: Fish, meat, eggs and dairy products can provide a lasting feeling of fullness and stabilize blood sugar.

③ Eat the staple food last: Putting carbohydrate intake at the end can effectively control the post-meal blood sugar peak.

(3)

Exercise regularly

Take a walk after a meal: Doing some low-intensity exercise after a meal, such as taking a walk, can not only help digestion, but also promote blood circulation and relieve post-meal drowsiness.

Dr. Ke reminds everyone

Proper diet planning

To satisfy your taste buds

Avoid the "Carbon Halo" phenomenon

Have you learned these methods to prevent carbon halo?

Share this with your friends who feel sleepy after eating!

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Source: Guangdong Health Information, Tadpole Musical Notation, and Healthy Henan.

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