The Usual Suspect: L-tryptophan
Here's why: Turkey meat contains a lot of an amino acid called L-tryptophan (say: el-trip-teh-fan). Amino acids are the "building blocks" for the proteins that make up our muscles and other important parts of our bodies.
Why does turkey put you to sleep?
Turkey contains L-tryptophan, an amino acid that's often linked with sleep. It encourages serotonin production in your brain, and this makes you feel relaxed and sleepy.
Is turkey supposed to make you sleepy?
First things first: Yes, turkey does contain tryptophan, which does promote good sleep and a good mood, according to research published in Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews . Tryptophan is one of several essential amino acids, which are considered the building blocks of proteins in animals and plants.
