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Fatty foods cause lethargy and drowsiness
Last reviewed: 01.07.2025
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American scientists have discovered a relationship between the caloric content of food and the daily activity of an adult. It turns out that the more fatty foods we eat, the lower our performance and the more difficult it is to lead an active lifestyle.
A large amount of fatty food consumed negatively affects the quality and efficiency of work, a person who prefers fatter dishes will be sleepy and sluggish throughout the day. The latest studies by nutritionists have once again proven the harm of fatty foods and the opposite effect of carbohydrates that are beneficial for the body.
Experts from the University of Pennsylvania have proven that the nutritional value of daily consumed products can affect a person's performance and productivity. Those people who prefer fatty foods to protein foods and those containing healthy complex carbohydrates are slower and sleepier throughout the working day.
The experiment. Conducted at the University of Pennsylvania (USA), 30 adults aged 18 to 65 were observed by specialists for one working week (5 days). For five days, the participants in the experiment were in the university's laboratory. Nutritionists divided the volunteers into three groups, which ate differently balanced food throughout the experiment. The first group's diet was dominated by protein foods, the second group's diet was rich in carbohydrates, and the third group's diet was the fattest.
The aim of the experiment, the scientists said, was to measure the level of lethargy and drowsiness in people who adhere to different diets. According to experts, the amount of energy and performance of a person depends on the food consumed. Indeed, after the experts were able to measure the level of daytime sleepiness of each participant in the experiment using a multiple daily sleep latency test, they could confidently report that food affects the daytime activity of each person.
The results of the comparative analysis of the indicators confirmed the assumptions of the nutritionists and the study leaders. The experiment proved that protein food has no effect on human performance and energy. As for carbohydrates and fats, a large amount of fatty foods significantly reduced activity, performance and the desire to do anything, while complex carbohydrates had the opposite effect. Those participants who ate carbohydrate-containing foods were full of energy.
Experts emphasize that such indicators as sleep duration, age, health status, gender and the presence of chronic diseases were taken into account and did not affect the results of the study in any way.
In connection with the obtained results of the study, nutritionists strongly recommend limiting the amount of fat consumed and trying to include more protein and carbohydrate foods in the daily diet. According to experts, complex carbohydrates are best suited for breakfast, since energy, performance and vitality depend on them.
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