Often Sleepy after Breaking the Fast, Here are 5 Causes

YOGYAKARTA - During Ramadan, many people feel very sleepy after breaking the fast. In fact, before it felt quite fresh even though it had been fasting all day. The condition of drowsiness after breaking the fast is actually quite common and related to the body's natural response to food that comes in after hours of not eating and drinking. Understanding the causes of drowsiness after breaking the fast can help you regulate your eating patterns to stay energized throughout the night.

In the medical world, citing The Daily Star, Friday, March 13, drowsiness after eating is known as postprandial somnolence or often referred to as "food coma". This condition occurs when the body begins to focus energy on digesting newly consumed food. As a result, the body feels more relaxed and physical and mental activity can slow down for a while. This often feels stronger after eating large portions during the fasting.

After you eat during Iftar, your body will activate the parasympathetic nervous system which helps the digestive process. This system is known as the "rest and digest" mechanism, which is a condition when the body is more focused on recovery and processing food. At the same time, the activity of the nervous system that maintains alertness becomes lower. This change makes the body feel more relaxed and triggers drowsiness after eating.

After fasting all day, many people tend to eat large amounts when breaking the fast. Too much food makes the digestive system work harder to process the food. The body also shifts more energy to help the digestive process. As a result, the body feels more tired and sleepy after eating.

Sweet or high-carbohydrate foods are often the favorite menu when breaking the fast. This type of food can increase blood sugar levels quickly after the body has fasted for hours. To balance it, the body will release more insulin hormones. This rapid change in blood sugar levels can trigger a feeling of weakness and drowsiness.

Some foods can affect the production of hormones that are related to feelings of relaxation and drowsiness. After eating, the body can increase the production of serotonin which helps create a feeling of calm. This hormone can then turn into melatonin which is related to the sleep cycle. This condition makes you more easily feel sleepy after breaking the fast.

When the digestive process takes place, the body will direct more blood flow to the digestive organs. This is done so that food can be processed properly by the stomach and intestines. Because some of the blood flow is focused on the digestive system, the body can feel slower or a little sluggish. This condition often makes a person want to sit down or rest after eating.

Feeling sleepy after breaking the fast is actually the body's natural response to the digestive process. Even so, you can reduce it by regulating the portion of food, choosing a more balanced meal, and not immediately eating too much when breaking the fast. Light activities such as walking can also help the body digest food better. With the right diet, feeling sleepy after breaking the fast can be minimized so that the body stays energized throughout the night of Ramadan.