As the saying goes: "Spring sleepiness, autumn fatigue, and summer naps." Drowsiness can occur throughout the year, but few people realize that fatigue can be caused by improper eating habits. So, what unhealthy dietary habits can lead to fatigue and drowsiness?
1. Eating too little—leads to autumn fatigue
Nowadays, some young people often diet for weight loss. People who eat little, especially those who skip breakfast, are prone to fatigue and drowsiness. Students who need to go to school in the morning or working adults with time constraints for work often skip breakfast. Skipping it once or twice becomes a habit over time. However, nutritional research has proven that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Breakfast is the "switch" that starts the brain. After a night of sound sleep, hormone secretion hits a low, and stored glucose is depleted after about 8 hours. The cells of the human brain can only obtain energy from this one nutrient, glucose. Breakfast, like a timely rain, can quickly boost hormone secretion and provide energy for brain cells. If you eat too little for breakfast, you will feel listless and your work efficiency will decrease. Over time, this can lead to tiredness, weakness, dizziness, unstable emotions, and even symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and fainting, making it impossible to study and work with full energy.
2. Eating too much—leads to autumn fatigue
After a large meal, the digestive system must increase blood supply to complete the task of digestion and absorption. This means a large amount of blood flows to the digestive tract, and the blood supply to peripheral tissues and the brain is correspondingly reduced. The brain, in particular, cannot store energy, so once it lacks blood and oxygen, its energy metabolism will be impaired, directly affecting normal brain function and making people feel drowsy. Recent research also shows that long-term overeating can accelerate cerebral arteriosclerosis and easily lead to senile dementia. Therefore, relevant experts remind everyone that regardless of age or gender, one's diet should not be too full. For the elderly, it is best to eat until about 70% full.
3. Overeating greasy food—leads to autumn fatigue
Occasionally consuming too much fat is not a big problem, but for patients with high blood lipids, consuming too much fat will make their already high levels even higher. Due to the high lipid content in the blood, blood flow velocity decreases, oxygen supply is reduced, and the heart compensates by increasing its contraction force. At this time, people are not only prone to drowsiness, but any strenuous activity will increase the heart's load and worsen the feeling of fatigue.
4. Overeating seafood—leads to autumn fatigue
Seafood contains a substance called monosodium glutamate, which is the main chemical component of MSG. During digestion, it can break down into glutamic acid. After entering the human body, monosodium glutamate can be converted to synthesize gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). GABA is an inhibitory neurotransmitter. Insufficient production can easily cause over-excitement of the central nervous system, such as mania or convulsions. However, excessive production will have an inhibitory effect on the central nervous system, making people drowsy.
5. Excessive intake of tryptophan-containing foods—leads to autumn fatigue
Tryptophan is an essential amino acid for the human body that can promote the secretion of serotonin by brain nerve cells. Serotonin has the effect of inhibiting brain thinking activities. Therefore, consuming a diet rich in tryptophan can easily lead to tiredness and sleepiness. Foods rich in tryptophan include millet, milk, shiitake mushrooms, sunflower seeds, black sesame, soybeans, pumpkin seeds, pork floss, fried tofu, and eggs.
6. Drinking large amounts of acidic beverages after exercise—leads to autumn fatigue
After intense or strenuous exercise, the body accumulates a significant amount of lactic acid. At this time, drinking large amounts of acidic beverages will cause acidic metabolic products to accumulate in the body, worsening the feeling of fatigue. The proper approach at this point is to consume more light and easily digestible foods, with alkaline foods like vegetables and fruits being the best choice.