As the saying goes: spring sleepiness, autumn fatigue, and summer naps. Once autumn arrives, many people start to feel drowsy. If they don't take a nap at noon, they will lack the energy to work in the afternoon, and they may also experience physical fatigue. So, what habits can easily lead to autumn fatigue?
1. Eating too little — leads to autumn fatigue
Nowadays, some young people often diet to lose weight. 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 salaried workers constrained by work 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 its lowest point, and stored glucose is depleted after 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 breakfast is too small, it can lead to listlessness and reduced work efficiency. Over time, it can also make people feel tired and weak, dizzy, emotionally unstable, and even experience 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 way, a large amount of blood flows to the digestive tract, and the blood supply to peripheral tissues and the brain will be correspondingly reduced. The brain, in particular, cannot store energy, so once it is deprived of blood and oxygen, its energy metabolism will be impaired, directly affecting the normal function of the brain 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, seven-tenths full is appropriate.
3. Eating too much greasy food — leads to autumn fatigue
Occasionally consuming too much fat is not a big problem for the body, but if a person with high blood lipids consumes too much fat, it will make their already high blood lipids even higher. Due to the high level of blood lipids, the blood flow rate decreases, the oxygen supply function is reduced, and 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, thus 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味精 (MSG). During digestion, it can break down into glutamate. 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-excitation 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 feel drowsy.
5. Consuming too many 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 tiredness and sleepiness. Foods rich in tryptophan include millet, milk, mushrooms, sunflower seeds, black sesame, soybeans, pumpkin seeds, pork floss, fried tofu, eggs, etc.
6. Drinking a lot of acidic drinks after exercise — leads to autumn fatigue
After intense or strenuous exercise, the body accumulates a significant amount of lactic acid. At this time, drinking a lot of acidic drinks will cause acidic metabolic products to accumulate in the body, worsening the feeling of fatigue. The proper way to handle this is to eat more light and easily digestible foods, with alkaline foods like vegetables and fruits being the best choice.