Every time we’re too busy working or running late without having breakfast or lunch we find ourselves feeling irritated and angry. In cases where we go too long without eating, it is officially the moment we get “hangry”!
Scientists are very familiar with the condition called “hangry” and have been studying it for many years now. Blaming your character and quoting yourself as a short-temper is wrong when you haven’t been fueling your body for more than 4-5 hours.
Glucose is our brain’s favorite fuel. That is why if needing a piece of chocolate cake has transformed you into a little “monster”, then it means you’re officially “hangry”. When consuming food, then, the process of restoration glucose into your body begins. While hanger is a real phenomenon our physiological condition creates, frequently experiencing hanger might actually mean your brain is suffering from sugar addiction.
But, why is that not every person gets hangry and where does hanger come from?
How is hanger created?
You may think your brain creates hanger when suddenly the waiter is taking forever to take your order or even when waiting in line to pay for a certain food product. But, the truth is, the moment hanger is created has been quite earlier.
As science approves, all types of aggressive and violent behaviors are managed and restrained by a person’s self-control. But, did you know that your self-control system is one of the biggest glucose consumers in your brain? That is why, when your glucose levels are low or poor, chances for you to get angry, aggressive and violent, are much higher.
Since your system is the one to use and brake down the food you eat and make the glucose, it uses it to make your brain properly function. And also, to guarantee it will be able to have enough recourse to “exercise” self-control throughout the day.
When your glucose levels are low, your body is also the one to work and try to compensate the dropped glucose levels and release certain hormones. These hormones (adrenaline, cortisol, etc.), are the ones responsible for aggressive and violent behavior.
How to stop or manage hanger?
It is important to accept hanger as a true and common condition. A condition that can happen to everyone with a low sugar level into the blood. Then, after the acceptance, it’s time for you to learn some simple and practical ways to make this physiological phenomenon to not bother you anymore.
The first, best way to stop hanger from appearing is to eat regularly. At least once in four hours is what experts suggest the most. Try to stick to healthy snacks that don’t have to contain too much calories. Also, don’t wait for your stomach to let you know it needs food. Especially since low blood glucose does not necessarily mean you’ll feel hungry.
Foods containing fiber or protein are the ones with slow-burning features of carbs. That is why dietitians put them first in your food-choice list. Then, your second best option is fruits.