Hangry
Not many people know this, but ‘Hangry’ is a real thing!
We’ve all experienced it at some point: that irritable, cranky feeling that creeps up when we’re over-hungry. It’s known as being “hangry” – a combination of hungry and angry. But what exactly causes this, and why does hunger have such a powerful effect on our mood?
As time passes after your last meal, the amounts of certain nutrients and hormones normally circulating in your bloodstream fluctuate. Some start to rise (ghrelin, the hunger hormone for example) while others (eg insulin) start to drop. When your blood sugars drop too low you may find it hard to concentrate, for instance, or you may make unforced errors and silly mistakes.
The body is governed by many counter-regulatory hormones, a bit like the balance between the use of the accelerator and the brakes when driving a car. Not having eating for a while triggers the release of hormones such as ghrelin, which signals to our brain that we need to eat. At the same time, levels of other hormones like insulin (which, among other functions lowers blood sugar) and leptin (the satiety hormone which signals the brain to stop eating) both decrease, thus further contributing to feelings of hunger.
If you suffer from the “sugar rollercoaster” and struggle to maintain good control of your blood sugar levels, ProLonegvity can help you with the management of your lifestyle and diet. Feel free to get in touch with us, see details below, and we would be more than happy to help you get back on track.
Hunger doesn’t just affect our bodies – in fact it’s primarily driven by our brains. Research has shown that hunger can lead to changes in brain chemistry that affect mood and behaviour. When we’re hungry, our brains produce less serotonin, often referred to as the “feel-good” neurotransmitter, which can leave us feeling irritable and moody. In addition, hunger can also increase levels of cortisol, the stress hormone, increasing both anger and frustration, causing that “hangry” feeling.
Another thing that can become more difficult when you’re hungry is behaving within socially acceptable norms, such as not snapping at people and not being able to fully control your emotions.
But many confectionery and fast-food companies cynically exploit this as a marketing ploy to sell more products. “SNICKERS” infamously released the ‘You’re not you when you’re hungry’ ad campaign. This increased their sales by more than 57% but was later criticized for being sexist, inhuman, and even immoral by creating an ad that exploits the serious effects hunger can have on a person’s abilities.
For those with pre-diabetes and diabetes, managing hunger can be challenging during times when blood sugar fluctuates. Low blood sugar levels can lead to feelings of lethargy and fatigue, making it tempting to reach for quick-fix, high-carbohydrate snacks that can further increase blood sugar spikes.
Additionally, the stress of dealing with diabetes management on a daily basis can also contribute to feelings of frustration and irritability, thus increasing the effects of hunger-induced mood swings.
While managing hunger and reversing diabetes may seem daunting, there are many different ways that can help people who have diabetes or pre-diabetes deal with these challenges.
All ProLongevity clients are provided with Continuous Blood Glucose monitors (CGMs). By monitoring blood sugars in real time, allows you to identify patterns and how you react to certain foods as well as exercise, and even alcohol. So with the aid of the CGM technology we provide, and supported by our health-professional coaches, you can make much healthier lifestyle and diet choices. We call it Precision Nutrition.
Having balanced meals and occasional healthy snacks can allow you to help stabilise your blood sugar levels and stop the relentless sugar spikes and crashes.
Staying well-hydrated and drinking plenty of water throughout the day can also help reduce hunger. This, too, can help to reduce blood sugar spikes.
Stress is something that can hugely impact blood sugar levels and mood. So it is a key aspect of diabetes prevention and management. Taking part in activities such as yoga and time outdoors can help promote well-being and reduce stress.
Finally, we cannot overstate the importance of sleep. Without sufficient quantity AND quality sleep, you are building your house of health on sand!
ProLongevity strives to help people Live Healthy for Longer. With our support you can achieve the lifestyle changes to prevent or reverse diabetes. You can not only reduce your risk of health complications like stroke but also take control of your life again.
Book a completely free, no-obligation consultation with our founder Graham Phillips and find out how we can help you Live Healthy for Longer.