Why do we get grumpy when we're hungry?

About this episode

According to USA Today, the word “hangry” entered the Oxford English Dictionary in 2018. It’s a portmanteau term which combines the words “hungry” and “angry”. While it might sound a little silly or light-hearted, there’s evidence to suggest that getting grumpy is a pretty common reaction to feeling hungry.  The scientific reasons aren’t completely clear. But it kind of makes sense when you consider that the hypothalamus in the brain not only regulates feelings of hunger and fullness, but is also responsible for regulating mood. Getting grumpy when hungry is also a survival reflex to some extent. After all, our ancestors were hunter-gatherers, so being hungry was literally a threat to their lives. What exactly happens in our bodies when we're hungry ? Could that be due to hypoglycemia ? What can I do to avoid getting in a bad mood if I can't eat ? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions ! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here : What is the war on wee? Why do players have to wear white at Wimbledon? How can we choose the right sunscreen product? A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance. First Broadcast: 3/7/2023 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices