Thanksgiving myths debunked
POSTED: 09:31 AM PST Nov 19, 2012
UPDATED: 11:00 PM PST Nov 19, 2012
Think you know the real story of Thanksgiving? You may have been taken in by these Thanksgiving myths.
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Fact: Turkey does contain some tryptophan, which our bodies use to make serotonin, which can turn into melatonin, which triggers sleep -- but the turkey isn't the reason you're tired. Turkey doesn't contain nearly enough tryptophan to induce that much serotonin production (not to mention it's far from the only meat that contains tryptophan, and other meats generally aren't blamed for sleepiness). The more likely culprit for your post-Thanksgiving stupor is all those carbs and second helpings you're eating, according to Scientific American.
