Hangry No More: Maintaining Mood Amidst Hunger

Research investigating the mood effects of hunger reveals that acknowledging hunger, rather than just low blood sugar, affects mood negatively. Individuals with high interoceptive accuracy, who can better detect energy needs, experience fewer mood swings. Regular meal schedules and physical activity can improve mood stability.

New research sheds light on how hunger can influence daily mood, emphasizing that simply acknowledging hunger can lead to negative emotional states. The study reveals that individuals who have better interoceptive accuracy— the ability to detect internal bodily cues—are more adept at managing mood swings.

To better understand this relationship, researchers equipped 90 healthy adults with continuous glucose monitors. Participants also reported their mood and hunger levels twice daily. Notably, those who could accurately detect their energy needs experienced fewer emotional fluctuations, suggesting interoception's key role.

The findings underscore the importance of maintaining regular meal schedules and engaging in physical activity to sharpen hunger sensing and stabilize energy metabolism. These insights are particularly valuable for parents, as well as individuals navigating today's fast-paced and distraction-rich environments.

(With inputs from agencies.)