Six Major Dietary Mistakes That Cause Autumn Fatigue
Introduction: There is a common saying, "Spring sleepiness, autumn fatigue, and summer naps." It seems that fatigue has the upper hand for three seasons of the year.
Have you ever considered that fatigue might be related to our dietary structure? The following six major dietary mistakes can make you more and more fatigued in the fall!
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 often prone to fatigue and drowsiness. Students who need to go to school in the morning or working people constrained by office hours 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 reaches a low point, and stored glucose is depleted after 8 hours. The brain's cells can only get energy from this one nutrient: glucose. Breakfast, like a timely rain, can quickly boost hormone secretion and provide energy for brain cells. If breakfast is too small, it will lead to listlessness and reduced work efficiency. Over time, it can also make people feel tired and weak, dizzy, emotionally unstable, and even cause nausea, vomiting, or fainting, making it impossible to study and work with full energy.
2. Eating Too Much -- Leads to Autumn Fatigue
After a large meal, the gastrointestinal tract has to 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, energy metabolism is disrupted, directly affecting normal brain function and making people feel drowsy. Recent research also shows that long-term overeating can accelerate cerebral arteriosclerosis, easily leading 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. Eating Too Many Greasy Foods -- Leads to Autumn Fatigue
Occasionally consuming too much fat is not a big problem for the body, but for people with high blood lipids, consuming too much fat will make their already high blood lipids even higher. Due to the high blood lipids, blood flow velocity decreases, and the oxygen supply function is reduced. The heart will also compensate by increasing its contractile force. At this time, people are not only prone to drowsiness, but also any strenuous activity will increase the heart's load, thereby worsening the feeling of fatigue.
4. Eating Too Much 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. If too little is produced, it can easily cause over-excitement of the central nervous system, such as mania or convulsions. However, if too much is produced, it will have an inhibitory effect on the central nervous system, making people drowsy.
5. Excessive Intake of Foods Containing Tryptophan -- Leads to Autumn Fatigue
Tryptophan is an essential amino acid for the human body. It can promote the secretion of serotonin by brain nerve cells. Serotonin has the effect of inhibiting brain activity. Therefore, consuming a diet rich in tryptophan can easily lead to feelings of fatigue and sleepiness. Foods rich in tryptophan include millet, milk, shiitake mushrooms, sunflower seeds, black sesame, soybeans, pumpkin seeds, floss, fried tofu, eggs, etc.
6. Drinking Acidic Beverages in Large Quantities 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 way to deal with this is to eat more light and easily digestible foods, with alkaline foods like vegetables and fruits being the best choice.