Science now backs up the "hangry" experience - the anger we experience when hungry.
Do you get moody between meals? Cranky when you can't get your hands on a snack? Welcome to the world of hangry ("hungry" plus "angry").
Interestingly, hangry isn't just a pop culture term. There is in fact science to back up the crankiness that comes on when we need to eat.
The science of hangry – give me the glucose
According to an article published on theconversation.com, we experience hanger when there is an unbalance in the nutrients (sugar, fats, amino acids) surging through our blood stream. After digesting a meal, these nutrients reach lower levels.
Once our brain triggers the drop, it will start to panic if there isn't enough glucose to keep cognitive functions going. That's why we mess up manual tasks, feel foggy, or can't concentrate – our blood glucose levels affect our brain performance.
So why do we snap at people when hungry?
According to Dr. Brad Bushman from Ohio State University in the United States, the brain's pre-frontal cortex regulates our self-control. It ensures we behave appropriately, act according to social norms, and don't lose too many friends along the way!
But to manage our self-control, the pre-frontal cortex needs energy. And it gets that energy from the food we eat.
In a range of interesting experiments, Dr. Bushman found that people who don't get enough glucose – or energy – become more aggressive and lose the self-control to avoid aggression. He also found that hangry people are more likely to lash out at their loved ones, although they will still be moody with strangers.
How to avoid hanger
So the question is, how do you avoid getting so hangry that you yell at your spouse or scream at strangers in the street?
Simple – don't let your blood glucose levels fall too low. Snack on protein, healthy fats, fruits and vegetables. A trail mix with nuts, seeds, and fruits will give you a dollop of energy without hitting a sugar high.
Originally published on Nov 12, 2016
