What Really Happens In Your Body When You Eat Too Much Turkey
You know the feeling—you’ve eaten so much that even breathing hurts, and beyond unbuttoning your pants, there’s not much you can do to alleviate the pain. Turns out, there’s a scientific reason for that post-Thanksgiving discomfort. This video from American Chemical Society’s Reactions YouTube channel highlights all the fixings of a Thanksgiving dinner—and shows exactly what they do to your body.
Here’s what you need to know:
Your stomach can expand to the volume of a liter (that’s the size of a large burrito!).
The gas in fizzy drinks like soda or beer fills up more space than the liquid it comes in, stretching your stomach further than anticipated.
There’s no shame in burping: expelling gas is good for your body, and allows for easier digestion.
Feeling more heartburn than usual? It’s likely due to the amount of food you’ve eaten: The stomach produces hydrochloric acid to break down food. More food to break down means more acid, which can creep into the esophagus, leading to that burning feeling.
Your body signals when you’ve had enough fat, releasing a hormone called leptin.
When you eat a high-calorie meal, cells in your intestines secrete a hormone called PYY. When PYY reaches the brain, it binds with receptors that make you feel full.
The takeaway? Your stomach knows how to handle a Thanksgiving feast. Enjoy your meal and new insight— though you might not want to share these fun facts until after everyone’s finished eating.
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