We've all felt that sudden surge of irritability when lunchtime is delayed or a meal is skipped. The term 'hangry' – a blend of hungry and angry – entered the Oxford English Dictionary in 2018, perfectly capturing this universal human experience. Yet, why do some people seem to snap with low blood sugar while others remain composed? A groundbreaking new study has uncovered the surprising psychological mechanism at play.
The Science Behind the Snaps
Led by Professor Nils Kroemer, a specialist in Medical Psychology from the University of Tübingen and the University of Bonn, a team of researchers set out to investigate the direct link between energy levels and everyday mood. The study, published in January 2026, moved beyond prior research focused on clinical disorders to examine healthy adults in their daily lives.
The researchers equipped 90 healthy participants with continuous glucose monitors for one month. These devices, commonly used in diabetes care, tracked blood sugar levels every few minutes. Simultaneously, volunteers reported their hunger levels and mood states up to twice daily via a smartphone app.
The findings were revealing. Crucially, a person's mood worsened only when they consciously felt hungry, not simply when their blood sugar was objectively low. This pointed to a critical mental step between physical state and emotional reaction.
The Key Factor: Interoceptive Awareness
The study identified a trait called interoceptive accuracy as the key differentiator. This is an individual's ability to accurately perceive internal bodily signals, such as heartbeat, breath, and, pertinent to this research, hunger cues.
"People with high interoceptive accuracy experienced fewer mood swings linked to hunger," the research concluded. These individuals weren't immune to hunger pangs, but they were significantly better at maintaining emotional stability despite them. Their brains were more adept at processing the signals from the hypothalamus – which detects energy deficits – and the insula, a brain region involved in both bodily awareness and emotion.
This stability matters. Sudden 'hanger'-induced mood shifts can strain personal and professional relationships, lead to impulsive decisions, and encourage poor dietary choices in a quest for quick energy.
Practical Lessons for Adults and Children
The research offers insights for managing energy and mood. Young children, like the son in Professor Kroemer's playground anecdote, often lack the interoceptive skills to recognise their hunger before it triggers a meltdown. Similarly, adults in our distraction-filled world can easily ignore their body's signals until it's too late.
The study suggests several strategies. Maintaining a regular meal schedule is a simple defence. Furthermore, interoceptive accuracy can be improved through practice. Paying closer attention to internal sensations, alongside regular physical exercise which sharpens metabolic awareness, can help build resilience against 'hanger'.
While hunger is just one factor influencing our complex moods, understanding the role of interoception empowers us to respond more thoughtfully. As the research implies, the solution isn't just about eating on time, but about tuning in to what our bodies are telling us long before the hunger becomes overwhelming.
