INFLUENCES OF FAT AND CARBOHYDRATE ON POSTPRANDIAL SLEEPINESS, MOOD, AND HORMONES

Paired studies were conducted in 18 healthy volunteers (9 men, 9 women ) to investigate whether differences in mood and daytime sleepiness in duced by high-fat-low-carbohydrate (CHO) and low-fat-high-CHO morning meals;were associated with specific hormonal responses. Plasma insulin concentrations were significantly higher after low-fat-high-CHO meals , and cholecystokinin (CCK) concentrations were significantly higher a fter high-fat-low-CHO meals. Subjects tended to feel more sleepy and l ess awake 2-3 h after the high-fat-low-CHO meal, and ratings of fatigu e were significantly greater 3 h after the high-fat-low-CHO meal than after the low-fat-high-CHO meal. The results of the present study are consistent with the hypothesis that there is an association between th e lassitude experienced after a meal and the release of CCK. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Inc.