Tryptophan

Tryptophan is one of the 20 standard amino acids in addition to being an essential amino acid. Tryptophan is used in structural or enzyme proteins and is occasionally found in naturally produced peptides. Turkey has all the makings of a natural sedative because of tryptophan. Since tryptophan is an essential amino acid, meaning that the body can't manufacture it, so the body has to get tryptophan and other essential amino acids from food. Tryptophan helps the body produce the B-vitamin niacin which, ­in turn, helps the body produce serotonin. Serotonin is a calming agent that acts in your brain to play a key role in sleep. So if you eat lot of turkey, your body would produce more serotonin and you would feel calm and want a nap.