# Turkey makes you sleep?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/turkey-makes-you-sleep/186784>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [July 7, 2003, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/turkey-makes-you-sleep/186784 "2003-07-07T15:23:02Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![GeneGene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/77aa72/32.png) [@GeneGene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GeneGene)\
**Post date:** [July 7, 2003, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/turkey-makes-you-sleep/186784/1 "2003-07-07T15:23:02Z")

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On July 4 I made the traditional turkey dinner (don’t ask) and promptly began a huge debate with my brother on whether turkey makes you sleepy.

I could swear I found that myth debunked here, but after searching this morning I can’t find it anywhere. I CANNOT have him thinking he is right!

If anyone could post a link, I would appreciate it.

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**Author:** ![Philster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/13edae/32.png) [@Philster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Philster)\
**Post date:** [July 7, 2003, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/turkey-makes-you-sleep/186784/2 "2003-07-07T15:44:13Z")

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Snopes did it

[http://www.snopes.com/food/ingredient/turkey.htm](http://www.snopes.com/food/ingredient/turkey.htm)

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**Author:** ![GeneGene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/77aa72/32.png) [@GeneGene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GeneGene)\
**Post date:** [July 7, 2003, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/turkey-makes-you-sleep/186784/3 "2003-07-07T15:54:04Z")

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Thanks. I guess I’m getting snopes and the straight dope mixed up (again).

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**Author:** ![YoudNeverGuess](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/a587f6/32.png) [@YoudNeverGuess](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YoudNeverGuess)\
**Post date:** [July 7, 2003, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/turkey-makes-you-sleep/186784/4 "2003-07-07T15:58:38Z")

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Here’s a link that might help.

> **[Is There Something in Turkey That Makes You Sleepy?](https://science.howstuffworks.com/innovation/edible-innovations/question519.htm)**
>
> It's Thanksgiving Day and your waistband is groaning, and you're heavy-lidded as you lift one more forkful of pumpkin pie to your mouth. Some say that tryptophan, an amino acid found in turkey, is the reason you want a nap after Thanksgiving dinner.

I heard lettuce also makes you sleepy too (see quote below)

- 

Lettuce contains a substance called lactur carium that helps promote sleep by sedating the nervous system. A crisp green salad with supper is a good option for those who tend to have difficulty dropping off at night.

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  - Quote from this link:

> **[Can't sleep? Hold the coffee](https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2003/feb/09/foodanddrink.features8)**
>
> Doctor John Briffa's guide to wellbeing: the doc advises on fighting fat, sleeping well, avoiding stomach cancer and what to eat during pregnancy.

So I guess you’d better not eat a turkey salad sandwich before taking a driving test… 😃