Feeling Hangry? The Connection Between Anger and Hunger

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsThe ScienceHunger EffectsOther Risks of Not EatingControl and Prevention

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

The Science

Hunger Effects

Other Risks of Not Eating

Control and Prevention

The word “hangry” is a combination of “hungry” and “angry.” It’s that grumpy, irritable, or toxic feeling some get when they’ve missed a meal.

But hangry isn’t just a clever term; research has found irritability, loss of self-control, and the other hallmarks of anger can be signs your body ishungry, which can have more serious consequences.

Oscar Wong / Getty Images

When Did Hangry Become an Official Word?Every year, the editors of dictionaries update entries and add new terms that have started being used. “Hangry,” defined as “bad-tempered or irritable as a result of hunger,” was added to the “Oxford English Dictionary” in 2018, alongside “mansplain,” “co-parent,” and many other words.

When Did Hangry Become an Official Word?

Every year, the editors of dictionaries update entries and add new terms that have started being used. “Hangry,” defined as “bad-tempered or irritable as a result of hunger,” was added to the “Oxford English Dictionary” in 2018, alongside “mansplain,” “co-parent,” and many other words.

The Science Behind Being Hangry

Studies have confirmed an association between hunger and anger. In one study, 64 people recorded their emotions and levels of hunger five times daily over three weeks. Being hungry was found to increase feelings of anger and irritability and reduce reported levels of pleasure.

Researchers have also begun to explore how being hangry can hit home. In a small study of married couples, low blood sugar level was linked to poor self-control and increased feelings of aggression toward the other partner.

What Is Being Hangry a Symptom Of?

Several factors are involved when you’re hangry. When you eat, yourgastrointestinal (GI) tract, which includes the stomach and intestines, breaks down food. This raises the levels of sugar (glucose) in your blood. Not eating for long periods causes these levels to deplete, one of the main symptoms of which is irritability.

This irritability has been linked to the activity of certain hormones, includingadrenaline, which is released when blood glucose levels are too low.

As part of your body’s fight-or-flight response—a natural reaction to danger—adrenalinecauses the glucose levels to spike, preparing your body to defend itself. In the absence of an actual threat, this rise causes excess energy. This leads to restlessness, irritability, and loss of self-control.

Some of the most common symptoms of being hangry are hunger and irritability. Before true hanger sets in, though, you might experience cravings, trouble concentrating, a lack of emotional control, or hunger pains.

The Consequences of Getting Too Hungry

Hunger is a natural, physiological sensation of needing food.

When your body starts running low on nutrients—becauseblood glucoselevels are low—your stomach and intestines, or GI tract, emit a hormone calledghrelin. This hormone travels to the brain, triggering centers in your brain to cause a hunger response: Your appetite increases, and the GI tract secretes acids.

The immediate effects of thehungerresponse on the body and mind can be uncomfortable, causing:

Ghrelin also impacts the decision-making centers of the brain. Along with irritability, hunger increases impulsivity, reducing your ability for self-control.You may have obsessive, intrusive thoughts about food and may make poorer dietary choices.

There are many reasons you shouldn’t skip meals if you can avoid it. Prolonged hunger means long periods of low blood sugar, which causes many symptoms. It can also lead to malnutrition and raise the risk of chronic conditions.

Low Blood Sugar

Known clinically as hypoglycemia, low blood glucose cause:

If the blood sugar levels continue to drop, the symptoms can get more severe. They include:

Lack of Energy

When your body doesn’t get thecaloriesand nutrients it needs from food, this leads to fatigue and a general lack of energy. Persistent fatigue and drowsiness even when you get enough sleep may be a sign that you aren’t eating enough or that there gaps in your diet.

Malnutrition

Over time, there can be serious consequences if your body isn’t getting the calories and vitamins it needs. Multiple bodily systems can be affected when you don’t have sufficient levels of carbohydrates, proteins, essential vitamins and minerals (such asvitamin Candcalcium), and other nutrients.

Signs of malnutrition include:

Food Insecurity and Health IssuesFood insecurity—not having the financial means to access enough food—was found to affect over 10% of the U.S. population in 2021.Researchers have found food insecurity and the associated malnutrition to raise the risk of cardiometabolic diseases, such astype 2 diabetes,high blood pressure(hypertension), and hyperlipidemia (elevated fats in the blood).They also found higher rates of mental health conditions, such as depression and anxiety, in this population.

Food Insecurity and Health Issues

Food insecurity—not having the financial means to access enough food—was found to affect over 10% of the U.S. population in 2021.Researchers have found food insecurity and the associated malnutrition to raise the risk of cardiometabolic diseases, such astype 2 diabetes,high blood pressure(hypertension), and hyperlipidemia (elevated fats in the blood).They also found higher rates of mental health conditions, such as depression and anxiety, in this population.

How to Control or Prevent Being Hangry

Since hunger is at the root of being hangry, changing your dietary habits and adopting certain practices can help you both prevent the condition and manage it. Keys to taking on hanger include the following:

Summary

Being hangry involves feeling anger and irritability due to having an empty stomach. Though it emerged as a pop-culture term, " being hangry" is real. researchers have linked feelings of irritability and anger to low levels of blood sugar and the hormones released as a result.

Many health risks are associated with prolonged hunger. However, dietary and lifestyle changes can help manage this condition and prevent hangry episodes.

17 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Swami V, Hochstöger S, Kargl E, Stieger S.Hangry in the field: an experience sampling study on the impact of hunger on anger, irritability, and affect. Schubert MM, ed.PLoS ONE. 2022;17(7):e0269629. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0269629Oxford English Dictionary.New words list January 2018.MacCormack JK, Lindquist KA.Feeling hangry? When hunger is conceptualized as emotion.Emotion. 2019;19(2):301-319. doi:10.1037/emo0000422Bushman BJ, DeWall CN, Pond RS, Hanus MD.Low glucose relates to greater aggression in married couples.Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 2014;111(17):6254-6257. doi:10.1073/pnas.1400619111National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Low blood glucose (hypoglycemia).Verberne AJ, Korim WS, Sabetghadam A, Llewellyn-Smith IJ.Adrenaline: insights into its metabolic roles in hypoglycaemia and diabetes.Br J Pharmacol. 2016;173(9):1425-37. doi:10.1111/bph.13458Piedmont Health.Why we get hangry.Endocrine Society.Adrenal hormones.Allina Health.Hangry: How food affects your mood.Davis J.Hunger, ghrelin and the gut.Brain Res. 2018;1693:154-158. doi:10.1016/j.brainres.2018.01.024Michigan State University MSU Extension.Reconnect with your hunger cues.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About low blood sugar (Hypoglycemia).Johns Hopkins Medicine.Malnutrition.Department of Agriculture.Food security and nutrition assistance.O’Neal LJ, Jo A, Scarton L, Bruce MA.Food insecurity is associated with mental-physical comorbidities among U.S. Adults: NHANES 2013 to 2016.Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022;19(3):1672. doi:10.3390/ijerph19031672National Institute on Aging.How much should I eat? Quantity and quality.Harvard Medical School.Why sleep matters: Benefits of sleep.Additional ReadingSwami V, Hochstöger S, Kargl E, Stieger S.Hangry in the field: An experience sampling study on the impact of hunger on anger, irritability, and affect. Schubert MM, ed.PLoS ONE. 2022;17(7):e0269629. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0269629

17 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Swami V, Hochstöger S, Kargl E, Stieger S.Hangry in the field: an experience sampling study on the impact of hunger on anger, irritability, and affect. Schubert MM, ed.PLoS ONE. 2022;17(7):e0269629. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0269629Oxford English Dictionary.New words list January 2018.MacCormack JK, Lindquist KA.Feeling hangry? When hunger is conceptualized as emotion.Emotion. 2019;19(2):301-319. doi:10.1037/emo0000422Bushman BJ, DeWall CN, Pond RS, Hanus MD.Low glucose relates to greater aggression in married couples.Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 2014;111(17):6254-6257. doi:10.1073/pnas.1400619111National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Low blood glucose (hypoglycemia).Verberne AJ, Korim WS, Sabetghadam A, Llewellyn-Smith IJ.Adrenaline: insights into its metabolic roles in hypoglycaemia and diabetes.Br J Pharmacol. 2016;173(9):1425-37. doi:10.1111/bph.13458Piedmont Health.Why we get hangry.Endocrine Society.Adrenal hormones.Allina Health.Hangry: How food affects your mood.Davis J.Hunger, ghrelin and the gut.Brain Res. 2018;1693:154-158. doi:10.1016/j.brainres.2018.01.024Michigan State University MSU Extension.Reconnect with your hunger cues.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About low blood sugar (Hypoglycemia).Johns Hopkins Medicine.Malnutrition.Department of Agriculture.Food security and nutrition assistance.O’Neal LJ, Jo A, Scarton L, Bruce MA.Food insecurity is associated with mental-physical comorbidities among U.S. Adults: NHANES 2013 to 2016.Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022;19(3):1672. doi:10.3390/ijerph19031672National Institute on Aging.How much should I eat? Quantity and quality.Harvard Medical School.Why sleep matters: Benefits of sleep.Additional ReadingSwami V, Hochstöger S, Kargl E, Stieger S.Hangry in the field: An experience sampling study on the impact of hunger on anger, irritability, and affect. Schubert MM, ed.PLoS ONE. 2022;17(7):e0269629. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0269629

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Swami V, Hochstöger S, Kargl E, Stieger S.Hangry in the field: an experience sampling study on the impact of hunger on anger, irritability, and affect. Schubert MM, ed.PLoS ONE. 2022;17(7):e0269629. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0269629Oxford English Dictionary.New words list January 2018.MacCormack JK, Lindquist KA.Feeling hangry? When hunger is conceptualized as emotion.Emotion. 2019;19(2):301-319. doi:10.1037/emo0000422Bushman BJ, DeWall CN, Pond RS, Hanus MD.Low glucose relates to greater aggression in married couples.Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 2014;111(17):6254-6257. doi:10.1073/pnas.1400619111National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Low blood glucose (hypoglycemia).Verberne AJ, Korim WS, Sabetghadam A, Llewellyn-Smith IJ.Adrenaline: insights into its metabolic roles in hypoglycaemia and diabetes.Br J Pharmacol. 2016;173(9):1425-37. doi:10.1111/bph.13458Piedmont Health.Why we get hangry.Endocrine Society.Adrenal hormones.Allina Health.Hangry: How food affects your mood.Davis J.Hunger, ghrelin and the gut.Brain Res. 2018;1693:154-158. doi:10.1016/j.brainres.2018.01.024Michigan State University MSU Extension.Reconnect with your hunger cues.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About low blood sugar (Hypoglycemia).Johns Hopkins Medicine.Malnutrition.Department of Agriculture.Food security and nutrition assistance.O’Neal LJ, Jo A, Scarton L, Bruce MA.Food insecurity is associated with mental-physical comorbidities among U.S. Adults: NHANES 2013 to 2016.Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022;19(3):1672. doi:10.3390/ijerph19031672National Institute on Aging.How much should I eat? Quantity and quality.Harvard Medical School.Why sleep matters: Benefits of sleep.

Swami V, Hochstöger S, Kargl E, Stieger S.Hangry in the field: an experience sampling study on the impact of hunger on anger, irritability, and affect. Schubert MM, ed.PLoS ONE. 2022;17(7):e0269629. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0269629

Oxford English Dictionary.New words list January 2018.

MacCormack JK, Lindquist KA.Feeling hangry? When hunger is conceptualized as emotion.Emotion. 2019;19(2):301-319. doi:10.1037/emo0000422

Bushman BJ, DeWall CN, Pond RS, Hanus MD.Low glucose relates to greater aggression in married couples.Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 2014;111(17):6254-6257. doi:10.1073/pnas.1400619111

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Low blood glucose (hypoglycemia).

Verberne AJ, Korim WS, Sabetghadam A, Llewellyn-Smith IJ.Adrenaline: insights into its metabolic roles in hypoglycaemia and diabetes.Br J Pharmacol. 2016;173(9):1425-37. doi:10.1111/bph.13458

Piedmont Health.Why we get hangry.

Endocrine Society.Adrenal hormones.

Allina Health.Hangry: How food affects your mood.

Davis J.Hunger, ghrelin and the gut.Brain Res. 2018;1693:154-158. doi:10.1016/j.brainres.2018.01.024

Michigan State University MSU Extension.Reconnect with your hunger cues.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About low blood sugar (Hypoglycemia).

Johns Hopkins Medicine.Malnutrition.

Department of Agriculture.Food security and nutrition assistance.

O’Neal LJ, Jo A, Scarton L, Bruce MA.Food insecurity is associated with mental-physical comorbidities among U.S. Adults: NHANES 2013 to 2016.Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022;19(3):1672. doi:10.3390/ijerph19031672

National Institute on Aging.How much should I eat? Quantity and quality.

Harvard Medical School.Why sleep matters: Benefits of sleep.

Swami V, Hochstöger S, Kargl E, Stieger S.Hangry in the field: An experience sampling study on the impact of hunger on anger, irritability, and affect. Schubert MM, ed.PLoS ONE. 2022;17(7):e0269629. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0269629

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