The science of ‘hangry’: why we sometimes snap or make rash decisions on an empty stomach
Some of us are prone to acting impulsively under the influence of hunger. Scientists explain the mechanisms that cause this and what we can do to stop feeling that way
Have you ever tried to make a decision on an empty stomach and later wondered why you bought five packets of potato chips at the convenience store or made a rash choice in a budget meeting that you struggled to justify to the boss?
People who are hungry are a little bit more impulsive, particularly when it comes to the consumption of unhealthy food
So how does hunger impair decision making? Mood, especially negative emotions such as anger, may connect the dots between feeling hungry and choosing poorly.
When the body is low on glucose the brain warns of a life-threatening situation and it becomes harder to concentrate, regulate temperament and behave within socially accepted norms. Low glucose levels also cause the brain to release stress hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol. If you’ve ever snapped angrily at someone when you felt hungry, you’ve probably experienced being “hangry”, the word used to describe feeling angry due to hunger.
According to Dr Benjamin Scheibehenne, a professor of cognition and consumer behaviour at the University of Geneva, in Switzerland, feeling angry when hungry can have a particularly detrimental effect on decisions about food.