The word “hangry” is a combination of hungry and angry.
Its that grumpy, irritable, or toxic feeling some get when theyve missed a meal.
Oscar Wong / Getty Images
When Did Hangry Become an Official Word?
Oscar Wong / Getty Images
Every year, the editors of dictionaries update entries and add new terms that have started being used.
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.
Another study found hunger causes a negative shift in mood.
Researchers have also begun to explore how being hangry can hit home.
What Is Being Hangry a Symptom Of?
Several factors are involved when youre hangry.
This raises the levels of sugar (glucose) in your blood.
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.
The Consequences of Getting Too Hungry
Hunger is a natural, physiological sensation of needing food.
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.
Though it emerged as a pop-culture term, " being hangry" is real.
Many health risks are associated with prolonged hunger.
However, dietary and lifestyle changes can help manage this condition and prevent hangry episodes.
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