Why We Get Angry When We're Hungry: The Science Behind 'Hangry,' And Best Foods To Beat It
If you frequently have to make up with friends and family with an, “I’m sorry for what I said when I was hungry,” then you might be suffering from a widespread condition known as "hanger." Though not an official medical condition, there is scientific evidence that your empty stomach could be to blame for those squabbles with your husband (or boyfriend or best friend).
Here’s how it works: when we’re hungry, our glucose levels drop, and as our levels get lower, we become more irritable, reports New Scientist. Low blood sugar also releases stress-related hormones cortisol and adrenaline in addition to a chemical associated with aggression called neuropeptide Y.
Research from 2011 shows that aggression and violence are restrained by self-control, an act that consumes a lot of glucose. In one study, people who consumed beverages with glucose were less aggressive than those who drank a placebo. Since loved ones are the easiest targets, a 2014 study looked at how married people treated spouses when glucose levels dipped.
Participants were given voodoo dolls representing their spouses and asked to stick pins into their replicas (to measure aggressive impulses) and to blast their replicas with noise through headphones (to measure aggression). Scientists found that when glucose levels dipped, the dolls endured more abuse via pins and loud noise.
Not all symptoms of low blood sugar are so hostile. WebMD reports other side effects include sweating, nervousness, shakiness, weakness, nausea and dizziness. The best way to avoid hanger, is of course, eating and limiting alcohol and caffeine. Dietician Leslie Beck advises eating every couple of hours and to include complex carbohydrates with a low glycemic index into your diet, according to The Globe and Mail.
Read: What Is Leaky Gut Syndrome? The Truth On This Condition And How To Fix It
Examples of prime foods include steel cut oatmeal, whole wheat pasta, milk, yogurt, apples and legumes.
Source: Fix.com Blog
See Also:
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