Summary:
- Eating rice can make you feel sleepy or lethargic after a meal due to the release of the amino acid tryptophan, which is converted into the neurotransmitter serotonin and the sleep-inducing hormone melatonin.
- The carbohydrates in rice also cause a spike in blood sugar, followed by a drop, which can contribute to feelings of fatigue and drowsiness.
- However, the effect can be mitigated by pairing rice with protein-rich foods, which can slow the absorption of carbohydrates and prevent the blood sugar spike and crash.