Ever felt irritable or even outright angry when you were hungry? There’s a term for that: “hangry,” a blend of hunger and anger.
It’s not just in your head; scientific evidence supports hunger’s physiological and psychological effects on mood.
Understanding “hangry”
Research by Viren Swami and colleagues explores this by examining the direct relationships between hunger and emotions like anger and irritability in everyday settings using an experience sampling method.
Their study highlights that increased self-reported hunger correlates significantly with heightened feelings of anger and irritability alongside reduced pleasure [1].
Role of glucose
Hunger triggers a decrease in blood sugar levels, which can lead to a decrease in glucose—an essential fuel for the brain.
Low glucose levels can impair the brain’s ability to regulate emotions, leading to increased impulsivity and diminished self-control. This lack of control can make a person more prone to frustration and irritability.
Additionally, studies suggest that acute hyperglycemia can promote excessive glutamine activity in the brain’s anterior cingulate cortex, a region important for emotional processing, thus exacerbating feelings of depression and anxiety in states of hunger [2].
Hunger’s psychological impact
The research extends beyond physiological responses, incorporating psychological dimensions. The study indicates that greater self-reported hunger levels are associated with more significant anger and irritability.
These findings persist even after adjusting for variables like sex, age, and dietary behaviors, highlighting a robust link between hunger and emotional states [1].
Real-life implications
This relationship between hunger and anger has practical implications, especially considering these emotional responses could affect social interactions, workplace productivity, and overall mental well-being.
Recognizing when hunger affects one’s mood might help one manage one’s emotional responses and maintain better interpersonal relationships and decision-making capabilities.
Being ‘hangry’ is a legitimate biological and psychological response to hunger. By understanding the underlying mechanisms—how fluctuations in glucose levels can impact your brain and behavior—you can better manage the effects.
Next time you feel irritability wash over you, it might just be your body signaling that it’s time to refuel.
[1] PLOS ONE. Hangry in the field: An experience sampling study on the impact of hunger on anger, irritability, and affect
[2] Journal of Affective Disorders. Risk of depression and anxiety disorders according to long-term glycemic variability
